Ferrum College vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ferrum College is located in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ferrum College 11:1; Radford University 14:1.

Ferrum College vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ferrum 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 Ferrum College ($16,749 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 5.5% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,504 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 127.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $15,972 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Ferrum College than at Radford University (about $2,887 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Radford University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 190.2% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($34,444 vs. $11,870).

Ferrum College vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ferrum 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 Ferrum College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ferrum College 880/1100; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRadford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ferrum College - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Ferrum College (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Ferrum College vs. 14.4% at RU.

Ferrum College vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ferrum 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 Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($23,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($237 vs. $289).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 49%)

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.