Youngstown State vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Youngstown State University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (12,204 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, OH (Small City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Youngstown State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Youngstown State University 20:1; Radford University 14:1.

Youngstown State vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State University than RU ($12,757 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Youngstown State University are 6.2% lower than at Radford University ($11,730 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Youngstown State (about $1,435 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $11,113.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.4% higher at RU than at Youngstown State University (about $14,160 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $11,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Youngstown State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 41% larger than aid received by Youngstown State University students ($11,870 vs. $8,420).

Youngstown State vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State.

• Youngstown State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Youngstown State University (1120) is 70 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming Youngstown State 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: Youngstown State University 1010/1230; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Youngstown State University 19/25; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Youngstown State - Open admission; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Youngstown State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Youngstown State students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Youngstown State (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Youngstown State vs. 14.4% at RU.

Youngstown State vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Youngstown State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Youngstown State graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Youngstown State graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Youngstown State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 36%)

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.