Erskine College vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Erskine College in Due West, SC with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Radford University is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Erskine College is located in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Erskine College 15:1; Radford University 14:1.

Erskine College vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Erskine College or RU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than Erskine College ($16,749 vs. $23,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 5.6% lower than at Erskine College ($12,504 vs. $13,250).
• Erskine College is 192.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $24,162 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at Erskine College than at Radford University (about $11,077 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Erskine College than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 162.6% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($31,174 vs. $11,870).

Erskine College vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Erskine College or RU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RU and Erskine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 10 points higher than at Erskine College (1040).
• Incoming RU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Erskine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Erskine College 920/1150; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Erskine College 17/23; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Erskine College - Test-free; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Erskine College (3.26).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Erskine College vs. 14.4% at RU.

Erskine College vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Erskine College and RU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Erskine College's (55%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Erskine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Erskine College graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Erskine College graduates ($237 vs. $276).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Erskine College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.