Radford University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Radford, Virginia · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia that admits about 90% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $14,578 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Radford University is a public institution located in Radford, Virginia. For the most recent reporting cycle, Radford University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 90%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1060 and an ACT composite around 21. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,578 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Radford University?
Radford University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores Radford University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 450–560, with an EBRW midpoint near 515. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–26. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1060 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 21 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
How much does Radford University actually cost?
Published tuition is $12,548 for in-state students and $25,633 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,504 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,578 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 37% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $14,578 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Radford University
Most popular majors at Radford University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Radford University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Radford University confers roughly 908 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $70,565 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 229 | $70,565 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 126 | $50,527 |
| Psychology, General | 124 | $47,112 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 109 | $55,706 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 101 | $54,397 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 84 | $49,903 |
| Marketing | 69 | $66,071 |
| Biology, General | 66 | $56,032 |
Is Radford University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Radford University disclosed 9 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Virginia parents ask about
- University of Virginia-Main Campus17% acceptance
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University55% acceptance
- College of William and Mary34% acceptance
- James Madison University72% acceptance
- Old Dominion University90% acceptance
- George Mason University87% acceptance
- Virginia Commonwealth University93% acceptance
- Washington and Lee University14% acceptance
Next steps for Radford University
Common questions parents ask about Radford University
What GPA do I need for Radford University?
Radford University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Radford University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 450–560, with an EBRW midpoint near 515. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–26.
How much does Radford University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Radford University after grants and scholarships is $14,578 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,548 and $25,633 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Radford University realistic for my child?
Radford University admits 90% of applicants, so 450–560 SAT Math is target range and below 450 is a reach. Then check the $14,578 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Radford University?
Radford University accepts about 90% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Radford University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Radford University is a public institution located in Radford, Virginia.
What are the most popular majors at Radford University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Radford University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other and Psychology, General. The school awards about 908 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Radford University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Radford University reported 9 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Radford University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers