RU vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 1,646 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Radford University is located in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Radford University 14:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

RU vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RU or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University than RU ($11,483 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 11.9% lower than at Radford University ($11,016 vs. $12,504).
• Virginia Union University is 39.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $4,902 more per year; $17,450.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.9% higher at RU than at Virginia Union University (about $8,183 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Virginia Union University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($17,524 vs. $11,870).

RU vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RU or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University and RU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 180 points higher than at Virginia Union University (870).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 940/1160; Virginia Union University 850/885.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RU - Test optional; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71).
• Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (98%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at RU vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

RU vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RU and Virginia Union University? 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 Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($23,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($237 vs. $348).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 19%)

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.