RU vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

RU vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or VSU? 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 VSU ($16,749 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 6.4% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,504 vs. $13,355).
• Radford University is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $2,505 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at RU than at Virginia State University (about $2,983 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Virginia State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($12,447 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 90 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Incoming RU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26; Virginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at VSU (2.85).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than VSU (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 14.3% at VSU.

RU vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and VSU? 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 State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($237 vs. $305).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 28%)

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.