RU vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Radford University in Radford, VA with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Radford University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 2,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

RU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than RU ($14,378 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 2.4% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($12,504 vs. $12,816).
• Radford University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $768 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at UVa-Wise than at Radford University (about $2,377 more per year; $28,010.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Radford University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($12,262 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and RU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 20 points higher than at UVa-Wise (1030).
• Incoming RU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UVa-Wise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

RU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than UVa-Wise graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $2,173 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($20,827 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($215 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVa-Wise students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 57%)

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.