RU Admission Requirements

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Radford, VA
3.5 2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

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RU Admission Overview

RU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year RU admitted 89.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.31 GPA (B+) and SAT 940-1160 / ACT 19-26. RU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

89.5%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The RU acceptance rate is 89.5%. Last year, 9,813 of 10,960 applicants were admitted. That is the 33rd lowest acceptance rate in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into RU and can you get accepted?

RU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Radford University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.31. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.31

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.31

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at RU typically have around a 3.31 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. RU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #32 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Radford University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	13.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	11.0%	Good
3.50 to 3.74	15.0%	Avg +
3.25 to 3.49	15.0%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	15.0%	Avg -
2.50 to 2.99	25.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	6.0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

RU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

940-1160

Freshmen who sent SAT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 490
Math 450
Composite 940

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 560
Composite 1160

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at RU typically score around a 1050 SAT (middle 50% 940–1160) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 49th percentile nationally. RU ranks #31 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 940 to 1160

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

RU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Radford University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1160+	Above 75th	>94%
1050 to 1160	Avg +	90%-94%
940 to 1050	Avg -	83%-90%
Below 940	Below mid-50	<83%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 17
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 24
Composite 26

Average ACT

Incoming testers at RU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. RU places #24 among colleges in Virginia for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to RU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Radford University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26+	Above 75th	>95%
22 to 26	Avg +	90%-95%
19 to 22	Avg -	84%-90%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<84%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

52% of Radford University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 22% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Radford University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	8%
Top 25% of class	22%
Top 50% of class	52%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the RU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Radford University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	6,449	4,503	10,960
Accepted	5,877	3,929	9,813
Acceptance Rate	91%	87%	90%
Enrolled	892	519	1,416
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	15%	13%	14%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Radford University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Radford University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Radford University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Radford University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

RU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 89.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.31 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (940-1160); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025