LRC vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Radford University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Radford University 14:1.

LRC vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($16,749 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 6.6% lower than at La Roche University ($12,504 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 171.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $21,504 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at LRC than at Radford University (about $8,419 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at La Roche University (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 94.5% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($23,083 vs. $11,870).

LRC vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or RU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RU and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at La Roche University (1070) is 20 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming RU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman RU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at LRC (3.2).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 14.4% at RU.

LRC vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and RU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

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.