Randolph vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Randolph College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Randolph College 8:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Randolph vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Randolph or SU? 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 Randolph College than SU ($21,668 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 1.1% lower than at Shenandoah University ($12,350 vs. $12,490).
• Shenandoah University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Randolph (about $6,640 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at SU than at Randolph College (about $6,640 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Randolph College students ($24,747 vs. $23,372).

Randolph vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Randolph or SU? 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 SU and Randolph.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 40 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Randolph students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at SU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 1100/1210; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Randolph College 19/26; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Randolph - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Randolph vs. 16.7% at SU.

Randolph vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Randolph and SU? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.