Longwood University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Longwood University in Farmville, 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 Longwood University based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 4,612 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Longwood University is located in Farmville, VA (Remote Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Longwood University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Longwood University 15:1; Radford University 14:1.

Longwood University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Longwood University 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 Longwood University ($16,749 vs. $20,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 28.2% lower than at Longwood University ($12,504 vs. $17,424).
• Longwood University is 25.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $3,196 more per year; $15,744.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Longwood University than at Radford University (about $2,345 more per year; $27,978.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Longwood University than at Radford University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Longwood University students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($13,954 vs. $11,870).

Longwood University vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Longwood University 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 Longwood University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Longwood University (1120) is 70 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming Longwood University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Longwood University 1030/1210; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Longwood University 19/26; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Longwood University - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Longwood University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at RU (3.31).
• Longwood University has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Longwood University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Longwood University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Longwood University 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).

• Longwood University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Longwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Longwood University graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Longwood University graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Longwood University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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.