Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Radford University #401 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,832, placing Radford University in the 32.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Radford University sits in the 41.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting outcomes that outpace what similar students earn at comparable institutions. Radford University's composite ranking reflects a consistent pattern across its pillar scores — with mobility and affordability working alongside its health-focused program mix to deliver outcomes that hold up well relative to peers. The university's earnings-beyond-expectations standing signals that graduates, particularly those moving through health and allied health programs, tend to reach stronger financial footing than their academic backgrounds alone would predict at comparable institutions.
Azimuth ranks Radford University #401 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Radford, VA, Radford University enrolls roughly 6,038 undergraduates. Retention stands at 75.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.7%, reflecting a student body that largely completes what it starts. The composite is anchored by what Radford University delivers for its graduates. Graduates earn about $3,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Radford University in the 41.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university's dominant program concentration in Health shapes this outcome — a field with consistent employer demand and relatively direct pathways from degree to career. Azimuth ranks Radford University #968 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability round out the composite picture. 37.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 31.4% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body that skews toward families for whom cost and access are central concerns. Radford University sits in the 68.6 percentile for affordability and the 67.5 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility sits in the 88.0 percentile — a profile that reflects the university's regional footprint and the career pathways most common among its graduates.
Radford University's published cost of attendance is $28,405. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that sticker price across family circumstances. Low-income families pay approximately $8,965; middle-income families pay around $12,069; higher-income families pay approximately $23,533. Azimuth ranks Radford University #448 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Radford University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's aid structure is designed to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay, though the degree of aid varies by income level and individual circumstances. For families evaluating affordability, the net price figures above provide a realistic sense of what typical students in each income band contribute annually. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,158; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,832, median federal debt of $24,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $271 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Radford University is a strong fit for students in VA and the surrounding region who are drawn to health sciences, nursing, and applied professional fields — and who want a public university experience with a clear path to stable post-graduation employment. It works especially well for students from low-income or first-generation backgrounds, given the institution's broad access profile and the meaningful earnings outcomes that 60.8% of Pell-eligible students achieve. The earnings case is grounded in the institution's Health-oriented program mix. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,832, placing Radford University in the 32.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and graduates earn about $3,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Radford University in the 41.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 37.1% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 31.4% identifying as first-generation students, Radford University serves a broad population and pairs that access with an affordable net price structure — higher-income families pay around $23,533, and typical federal student debt at graduation is approximately $24,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Health and related applied fields, so students whose interests align there will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking a research-intensive or highly specialized STEM environment may find a better match elsewhere. Radford University admits roughly 89.5% of applicants, making it broadly accessible to most qualified students in the region.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Radford University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Radford University's published cost of attendance is $28,405. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that sticker price across family circumstances.
Low-income families pay approximately $8,965; middle-income families pay around $12,069; higher-income families pay approximately $23,533. Azimuth ranks Radford University #448 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Radford University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid.
The institution's aid structure is designed to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay, though the degree of aid varies by income level and individual circumstances. For families evaluating affordability, the net price figures above provide a realistic sense of what typical students in each income band contribute annually.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,158; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,832, median federal debt of $24,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $271 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Radford University earn median 4-year earnings of $57,832, placing Radford University in the 32.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Radford University in the 41.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Radford University #968 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program concentration in Health shapes this earnings profile, with health-related fields driving a significant share of graduate outcomes.
The program lineup reflects Radford University's health-forward identity. Nursing stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining cohort scale with strong median earnings that anchor the institution's overall return story.
The Nursing program graduates 229 students with median earnings of $81,120 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #191 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates 126 students with median earnings of $50,057 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #77 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Psychology, General and Business Administration round out the higher-earning tier, with graduates in these fields posting median earnings of $48,935 and $67,246 respectively four years after enrollment. Business accounts for 14% of degrees, followed by Arts at 7% and Education at 5%, a mix that reflects the university's balance between applied health programs and broader social and behavioral science fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Akron Main Campus Similar quality tier (#15154 ranked) | OH | 60% | $46,600 | #15154 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Victoria Similar quality tier (#15161 ranked) | TX | 96% | $54,467 | #15161 | Compare |
Marshall University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#15165 ranked) | WV | 96% | $46,354 | #15165 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Platteville Similar quality tier (#15167 ranked) | WI | 89% | $61,760 | #15167 | Compare |
Austin Peay State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#15168 ranked) | TN | 96% | $44,301 | #15168 | Compare |
Computer Science
40 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
229 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
28 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
29 graduates
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
17 graduates
Radford University's program mix is anchored in health and applied professional fields — a signature consistent with the university's regional identity as a comprehensive public institution serving southwestern Virginia. Health professions represent the dominant concentration, with Business accounting for 14% of graduates, followed by Arts at 7% and Education at 5%.
Across 43 programs, 30 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 1,621 students annually. The program combining the broadest cohort scale with strong earnings is Nursing, which anchors Radford University's economic profile by channeling a large number of graduates into stable, in-demand careers.
Among the most-enrolled programs, Nursing program graduates 229 students with median earnings of $81,120 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks the program #191 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Interdisciplinary Studies and Psychology, General also enroll substantial cohorts of 126 and 124 graduates respectively, with four-year median earnings of $50,057 and $48,935.
The highest-earning programs at Radford University reflect the institution's health and applied-professional strengths. Nursing leads on earnings, with 229 graduates earning median earnings of $81,120 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks the program #191 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Business Administration and Digital Marketing follow closely, with graduates earning $67,246 and $62,981 respectively at the four-year mark. These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter licensed or credentialed roles — nursing, allied health, and related fields — where four-year earnings closely reflect labor-market outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how health-oriented program families align with national hiring demand.
