RU vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Radford University in Radford, VA with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 7,812 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

RU vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than RU ($7,916 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 28.8% lower than at Radford University ($8,907 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 44.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $3,873 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at RU than at Purdue University Northwest (about $9,539 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Purdue University Northwest (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 69.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($11,870 vs. $6,992).

RU vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RU or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue Northwest and RU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 30 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming RU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Radford University 940/1160; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Radford University 19/26; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman RU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

RU vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and Purdue Northwest? 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 is 56%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Purdue Northwest.
• Graduates from Radford University have median earnings of about $47,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Purdue Northwest.

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.