RU vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Bethany College 12:1.

RU vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College ($16,749 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 5.3% lower than at Bethany College ($12,504 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 193% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $24,217 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Bethany College than at Radford University (about $11,132 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 166.6% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($31,646 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RU or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College and RU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming RU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Bethany College (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

RU vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and Bethany College? 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 Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $7,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($23,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($237 vs. $319).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 56%)

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.