Radford University combines accessible admission with earnings that exceed expectations by $5,984, ranking in the top 25% nationally for value-added performance. As an Opportunity Builder, the university serves diverse student populations while maintaining above-average affordability and strong return on investment outcomes.
With above average outcomes, driven by earnings that exceed expectations despite typical median earnings levels
With above average performance, reflecting controlled net costs and manageable debt levels
With above average performance, indicating solid enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to similar institutions
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's ability to generate strong economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisRadford University delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and earnings that exceed expectations based on student demographics. Graduates earn a median of $53,739 ten years after enrollment, around the national average at the 52nd percentile.
More significantly, they earn $5,984 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Radford in the 77th percentile for earnings uplift performance. Earnings range from $38,051 at the 25th percentile to $77,202 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines.
Students seeking accessible public education with strong value proposition, particularly those from first-generation and lower-income backgrounds. Well-suited for students interested in nursing, education, communications, or business programs who want earnings that exceed expectations at manageable debt levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Radford University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/radford-university/analysis.
Strong earnings beyond expectations performance
Radford University ranks #366 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, placing in the 78th percentile with well above average performance. Located in Radford, Virginia, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission with a 90.6% acceptance rate while delivering earnings outcomes that exceed expectations.
Radford enrolls 35.4% Pell-eligible students and 31.4% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to serving diverse populations. Graduates earn $5,984 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 77th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $53,739 ten years after enrollment, around the national average at the 52nd percentile. Compared to peer median earnings of $50,116, Radford graduates earn $3,623 more annually.
This combination of accessible admission, above-average access for underrepresented students, and strong value-added performance places Radford among institutions that effectively convert educational opportunity into economic advancement for diverse student populations.
Radford University admits 90.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Radford in the Open Access category, where admission is available to most qualified students who meet basic requirements.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that Radford is more accessible than typical institutions in its comparison group, admitting 6 percentage points more applicants. This level of accessibility means that most students who apply with standard academic preparation should expect admission, making Radford a reliable option for students building balanced college lists.
The high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to serve Virginia residents and provide educational opportunities to diverse student populations. Students should focus on academic preparation for success rather than admission strategy, as getting in is generally straightforward for students meeting basic qualifications.
The university's open access approach creates opportunities for students who might face barriers at more selective institutions while maintaining academic standards through other measures. For prospective students, this means Radford can serve as a strong foundation choice while they also consider reach options, offering confidence in admission alongside quality academic programs and outcomes that exceed expectations.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Radford University's published cost of attendance is $26,681 per year, including $12,286 in-state tuition, $11,973 for room and board, and $1,260 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $25,185.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid. The average net price after aid is $16,640, representing savings of $10,041 from the sticker price through various forms of financial assistance.
This net price sits $2,547 below the peer median of $14,093, making Radford more expensive than similar institutions. Net costs vary substantially by family income, ranging from $11,289 for families earning under $30,000 to $22,537 for families earning over $110,000.
This $11,248 gap between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates progressive aid targeting that provides significant support to lower-income families while requiring higher-income families to pay closer to full costs. The cost structure reflects typical public university patterns where state funding helps control base costs while need-based aid provides additional support for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Radford University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and outcomes that exceed national expectations. Median earnings rise from $44,830 six years after enrollment to $50,773 at eight years and $53,739 at ten years, representing 19.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 2,873 to 3,761 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $5,984 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Radford in the 77th percentile for value-added performance.
This strong uplift indicates the university's effectiveness in helping students achieve better outcomes than predicted by their entering characteristics and demographics. Low-income graduates earn $45,500, ranking in the top 50% nationally and demonstrating robust economic mobility outcomes.
Earnings span from $38,051 at the 25th percentile to $77,202 at the 75th percentile, with the highest-earning programs in Computer Science ($81,648) and Banking and Financial Services ($78,478). Approximately 27.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse Similar quality tier (#361 ranked) | WI | 73% | $60,378 | #361 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Platteville Similar quality tier (#363 ranked) | WI | 87% | $61,760 | #363 | Compare |
Alcorn State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#364 ranked) | MS | 25% | $36,421 | #364 | Compare |
Central Michigan University Similar quality tier (#359 ranked) | MI | 91% | $55,874 | #359 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke Similar quality tier in Southeast (#365 ranked) | NC | 92% | $43,407 | #365 | Compare |
Computer Science.
46 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
58 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
14 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
35 graduates
American Government and Politics (United States).
27 graduates
Radford University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Computer Science ranks #169 nationally and #2 in Virginia, producing 46 graduates with median earnings of $81,648, though with a lower value score of 8.2 due to higher debt levels.
Banking and Financial Services ranks #47 nationally and #4 in Virginia, graduating 58 students with strong median earnings of $78,478 and an impressive value score of 77.5. Communication and Media Studies ranks #48 nationally and #2 in Virginia, with 78 graduates earning $51,557 and achieving the highest value score of 81.6.
The university's largest program is Adult Health Nursing, graduating 219 students with median earnings of $62,098 and ranking #6 in Virginia. Agricultural Teacher Education demonstrates exceptional value with a #34 national ranking and #3 state ranking, graduating 146 students with earnings of $42,857 and a strong value score of 76.3, reflecting the program's efficiency in career preparation and debt management.
