Saginaw Valley State University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Radford University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Radford University 14:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University or RU? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than RU ($11,546 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 1.3% lower than at Radford University ($12,340 vs. $12,504).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $382 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Radford University (about $4,817 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $25,633.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Radford University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($13,512 vs. $11,870).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University or RU? 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 RU and Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saginaw Valley State University (1050) is the same as at RU (1050).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State University and RU? 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 48%)

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.