SFASU vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephen F Austin State University 16:1; Radford University 14:1.

SFASU vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SFASU 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 Stephen F Austin State University than RU ($14,959 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 4.9% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($12,504 vs. $13,144).
• Radford University is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFASU (about $1,420 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $11,128.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at RU than at Stephen F Austin State University (about $2,207 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $23,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Stephen F Austin State University (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 11% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($11,870 vs. $10,694).

SFASU vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SFASU 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 SFASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SFASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 18/24; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SFASU - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at SFASU vs. 14.4% at RU.

SFASU vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SFASU 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 Stephen F Austin State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 52%)

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.