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Radford University (RU)

Black Pinpoint PO Box 6903 | Radford, VA | 24142

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01. Overview

What the school is known for:

“Midsized” and affordable Radford University is a “very student-oriented” public school in southwest Virginia that offers a pretty vast array of majors. Students call our attention to the business, nursing, education, and interior design programs in particular. “The professors here would have to be Radford’s greatest strength,” says a communication major. Many faculty members are “very personable, affable, and helpful.” They “want to teach.” “They’re easy to get in touch with and easy to talk to and ask questions,” adds a sociology major. Also, “classes are smaller, which makes it easier to get one on one attention.” However, “general education classes can be excruciating” and the faculty is not great across the board. “When they’re just reading from PowerPoint presentations, it sucks,” says a psychology major. “And that happens too often.” Registration is “terrible” but Radford reportedly has “great people making the decisions.” “Overall, the administration is generally pretty helpful and usually very accessible.”

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

Ribbon icon

Best Northeast
Ribbon icon

Green Colleges
Ribbon icon

The Best 389 Colleges

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
11,072
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
91%
GPA Icon
Average HS GPA
3.47

Deadlines

Early Action
November 1

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

Calendar Icon
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
490 - 610

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
460 - 560

SAT Composite Scores

Calendar Icon
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
950 - 1050

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
19 - 26

What would you score on the digital SAT today?

Take an SAT Practice Test

Testing Policies

Superscore ACT
Yes
Superscore SAT
Yes
Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Test Optional

Other Admission Factors Academic

Admission Factors Icon
Rigor of Secondary School Record

Selectivity

Admissions selectivity rating
76/99

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$20,853
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,260
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
3000
Transportation for Commuters
$1,858
On-Campus Room and Board
11988
Approximate Expenses per year
$38,959

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See More Arrow Down

05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
12 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
703
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
432

Gender

Women
421
Men
282
Minority
95
International
0

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Professors
interesting rating
77/99
Professors
accesible rating
76/99
Academic rating
67/99

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
38%
Graduate in 5 years
52%
Graduate in 6 years
54%

University Degrees

Associate
Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral Other
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

Prominent Alumni

Laurie Shelby

Tesla

Marty Smith

ESPN Sports Journalist and Author

R.J. Kirk

Entrepreneur

Nick Mayhew

3x Gold Medalist, Paralympian

Jason Hanson

Spy Escape and Evasion/Shark Tank

Brian Robinson

Goldman Sachs Partner

Morgan Wade

Singer/Songwriter

06. Student Body

What students say:

Radford is home to “lots of Virginians” and “a lot of females” but “not many minorities.” “There are students who dress somewhat different from the norm” and a few “hippie kids” but this is a “very preppy” campus and most students are “your typical college kids.” “I’d like to think there are more atypical people but they are few and far between,” admits a senior. Students describe themselves as “usually pretty friendly” and “fun to hang around.” Some students take academics very seriously. Others are “not serious about school” and simply “manage to coast through.” Socially, Radford is “clique oriented.” “The size of our school allows everyone to be known by someone, but no one knows everyone,” reflects a profound senior.

Gender

65% female35% male

Out of State

8% are out
of state92% are
in-state

Students

91% are
full time9% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
5,704
Foreign Countries Represented
46

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.23%
Asian
1.64%
Black
14.33%
Hispanic
8.38%
Caucasian
66.41%
Unknown
2.76%
International
0.82%

07. Mental Health

Wellness Program/Clinical Offerings

Institution has a mental health/wellness program that makes counseling, referral, and well-being services available to all students
Not Reported
Mental Health Website
Not Reported

Education & Training

Types of training available for students and faculty/staff
Program
Availability
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Not Reported
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Not Reported
SafeTALK
Not Reported
Mental Health First Aid
Not Reported
Talk Saves Lives
Not Reported

Engaging the Whole Campus

Institution has a Chief Behavioral Health Officer (and/or Chief Wellness Officer)
Not Reported
Clinicians are trained to provide care to these specific groups:
Undergraduates
Graduate students
Racial/ethnic minority student
Students who are veterans
LGBTQIA+ students
Student-athletes
International students
Students on scholarship or financial aid
First-generation students

Peer-to-Peer

Institution has peer-to-peer offerings relating to mental health
Not Reported

Residential Life

Institution incorporates mental health and wellness into the residential experience
Not Reported

Student Orientation

Students who are provided an opportunity to participate in mental-health-orientation activities
First-year students
Not Reported
Incoming transfer students
else {
Not Reported
}
Returning students
Not Reported
Entering graduate students
Not Reported

Mental Health in the Curriculum

The institution offers for-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Not Reported
The institution offers non-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Not Reported

Off-Campus Offerings

Institution offers referrals to off-campus counseling services
Not Reported

Health and Counseling Center Accreditation

Institution's counseling center is accredited
Not Reported
Accrediting body
Not Reported

Taking and Returning from Medical Leave

Institution has an official support program in place for students returning from mental health leave of absence
Not Reported

Counseling Demand

Number of months a year counseling center is open and fully staffed
Not Reported

08. Campus Life

What students say:

In a nutshell, “intramural sports, Greek life, and partying” pretty much sum up life at Radford. The “extremely gorgeous” and “beautifully manicured” campus is located in “a small quaint town” in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “The area is rather boondockish” but the river near campus provides “excellent” recreational opportunities. “There are plenty of clubs and organizations,” too. There’s also “a great student center with bowling, pool tables, a movie theater, and other things.” It may well be that “most of the time the rumors are not even true” but “Radford is often touted as a party school.” “Drunken escapades” are pretty common and “Greek Life is a big deal.” Some students say that “it can be hard sometimes to get into parties” if you don’t pledge. Others disagree. “If you don’t want to go Greek, you don’t have to ever step foot in a frat house but you can still have a great time,” reports a junior. Many students often travel to nearby Blacksburg for even bigger parties at Virginia Tech as well. You can avoid the party scene altogether if you want. However, you “have to search a little harder for people to associate with or things to do that don’t involve mass alcohol consumption.”

Fire safety rating
90%
Quality of life
74%
Students
46%
First-Year Students
88%
Campus Environment
Village
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

Most Popular Places On Campus

Student Recreation & Wellness Center (opened fall 2014)

Davis College of Business & Economics building (Kyle Hall) (opened fall 2012)

College of Humanities & Behavioral Science building and Starbucks (2016)

Hurlburt Student Center, including food court, game room and auditorium

Dedmon Center Complex, for cheering on Highlander Div 1 athletic events

For extracurricular activities, Radford University students can choose over 300 clubs and organizations, hundreds of intramural teams, and men's and women's NCAA sports teams. In addition, the Campus Activities Board sponsors weekly movies, lectures, debates and late-night programs, including well-known performers. Students also enjoy the open green spaces on campus for pick-up sports with friends or for solitude while studying. And as an acclaimed ?green? campus, students actively participate in sustainability efforts. The university offers a variety of undergraduate research opportunities, unique to many colleges, both on-campus and off-campus in the community and at unique locations such as Alaska, the Caribbean and the Amazon. In 2016, the university opened the 114,000-square-foot Center for the Sciences, which also has a state-of-the-art planetarium, Museum of the Earth Sciences and award-winning Radford University Forensic Science Institute) and 143,600-square-foot College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (that includes a large Starbucks) - both with modern classrooms, laboratories and technology that foster collaborative learning and research.

Most Popular Places Off Campus

Radford City's Bisset and Wildwood parks and trails

Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway

New River and Roanoke Shopping Malls

The New River (scenic river, great for recreation)

Claytor Lake State Park

Situated just above the New River, thought to be one of the oldest in the world, Radford University provides a picturesque setting for a college career. Students can find an abundance of outdoor recreation such as boating, hiking, canoeing, bird watching and biking. The university's Selu Conservancy, situated along the Little River, offers 380 acres for both hands-on scientific research and recreation. In addition to the outdoor activities, students engage with the community in meaningful service projects and internship opportunities.

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Shayna Lyle
Assistant Director of Admissions
Location Icon
PO Box 6903 Radford, VA 24142-6903
Phone icon
540-831-5371

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Phone icon
540-831-5371

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Year-round
Times:
Varies
Average Length:
Varies

Visits

CLASS VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Varies
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Arrangements
Contact Athletic Department
 

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
Yes
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
Year round

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

Radford Transit, professionally operated by New River Valley Community Services, is a joint partnership between the City of Radford, Radford University, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration. Radford Transit provides safe, reliable and convenient public transit to Radford University students, faculty and staff and the citizens of Radford. Radford Transit connects passengers to all points on campus as well as connections to the SmartWay Bus, MegaBus, Lynchburg Amtrak station and the Roanoke Regional Airport.


DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO CAMPUS

From Interstate 81, take exit 109 onto U.S. Route 177 north. Follow Route 177 (which becomes Tyler Avenue) for about 4 miles. Turn right onto Main Street, and proceed one block to the university entrance on your right. The main entrance is marked by a large Radford University sign. As you enter, Martin Hall is on the right, with the Admissions Office in Room 115.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

City of Radford and the New River Valley offer a variety of lodging, including historic bed and breakfast homes, brand as well as locally owned hotels and motels, and well-appointed cabins and vacation rentals. For more information on lodging and area attractions go to: www.visitradford.com


10. Sports & Athletics

Icon

Athletic Division I

Participate in intercollegiate sports
5%

Men's Sports (Highlanders)

Icon
Basketball
Icon
Cross Country
Icon
Golf
Icon
Soccer
Icon
Tennis

Women's Sports (Highlanders)

Icon
Basketball
Icon
Cross Country
Icon
Golf
Icon
Lacrosse
Icon
Soccer
Icon
Softball
Icon
Tennis
Icon
Track Field Indoor
Icon
Track Field Outdoor
Icon
Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

Icon
Apartment Single
Icon
Disabled Student
Icon
Dorms Coed
Icon
International Student
Icon
Theme Housing
Icon
Wellness Housing

Special Needs Admissions

Director
Andrea Sharpe-Robinson
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
205
Number of Honor Societies
28
Number of Social Sororities
8
Number of Religious Organizations
9

12. Student Services

Health
Minority Support Groups
LGBT Support Groups

Military

Army ROTC Offered on-campus

Sustainability

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes

Green rating

91%

Food budget spent on local/organic food

0%

Available Transportation Alternatives

School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Checkmark icon
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Checkmark icon

CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
Checkmark icon
Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Checkmark icon
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
X Mark icon
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Checkmark icon
Description Lenovo and Apple

13. Financial Aid

Financial Aid Rating

79%

Dates

Icon
Notification DateApr 15

Required Forms

FAFSA

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$14,586
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$13,826
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,296
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
76%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$31,272
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$12,116
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Pell
03 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
04 - Need-Based SEOG
05 - Need-Based State Scholarships

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - State Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
38%
Graduate in 5 years
52%
Graduate in 6 years
54%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Classes
04 - Interest Inventory
05 - Internships
06 - Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

01 - Coop
02 - Experiential
03 - Internship

15. Majors

Down Arrow Icon

01 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
  • Biomedical Sciences, General.
Down Arrow Icon

02 BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Accounting.
  • Business Administration and Management, General.
  • Finance, General.
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
Down Arrow Icon

03 COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
  • Journalism.
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Down Arrow Icon

04 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance.
  • Computer Science.
  • Information Science/Studies.
Down Arrow Icon

05 EDUCATION.
  • Physical Education Teaching and Coaching.
Down Arrow Icon

06 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
  • English Language and Literature, General.
Down Arrow Icon

07 FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
  • Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General.
Down Arrow Icon

08 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
Down Arrow Icon

09 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
  • Athletic Training/Trainer.
  • Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist.
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders, General.
  • Community Health and Preventive Medicine.
  • Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).
  • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other.
  • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
  • Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
  • Occupational Therapist Assistant.
  • Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant.
  • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
  • Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist.
  • Surgical Technology/Technologist.
Down Arrow Icon

10 HISTORY.
  • History, General.
Down Arrow Icon

11 HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
  • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
Down Arrow Icon

12 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
  • Mathematics, General.
Down Arrow Icon

13 MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
  • Sustainability Studies.
Down Arrow Icon

14 PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
  • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies.
  • Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
Down Arrow Icon

15 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other.
Down Arrow Icon

16 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
  • Chemistry, General.
  • Geology/Earth Science, General.
  • Physics, General.
Down Arrow Icon

17 PSYCHOLOGY.
  • Psychology, General.
Down Arrow Icon

18 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
  • Social Work.
Down Arrow Icon

19 SOCIAL SCIENCES.
  • Anthropology.
  • Economics, General.
  • Geographic Information Science and Cartography.
  • Political Science and Government, General.
  • Social Sciences, General.
  • Sociology.
Down Arrow Icon

20 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
  • Art/Art Studies, General.
  • Dance, General.
  • Design and Visual Communications, General.
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
  • Music, General.

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