PC vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Presbyterian College in Clinton, 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 PC based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

PC vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PC 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 PC ($16,749 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 7.9% lower than at Presbyterian College ($12,504 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 257.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $32,362 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.2% higher at PC than at Radford University (about $19,277 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 231.5% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($39,345 vs. $11,870).

PC vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PC 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 PC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Presbyterian College (1090) is 40 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming PC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at RU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 980/1200; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 21/26; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PC - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at PC vs. 14.4% at RU.

PC vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PC 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Radford University's (56%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $300 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $3,108 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($237 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.