RU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Radford University in Radford, VA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

RU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or VCU? 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 VCU ($16,749 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 31.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,504 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 35% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $4,397 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.5% higher at VCU than at Radford University (about $14,476 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($14,186 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 90 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming VCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at RU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at RU (3.31).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

RU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $100 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU 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.