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Radford University

#894 in US ranking Radford, VA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$29,771
Tuition & fees
$12,952
Avg. aid
$12,751
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
90%
SAT range
940–1160
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
49%
Median salary
$45,131
1 yr after graduation

What are the graduation rates for students at Radford University?

Radford University's reported six-year graduation rate was 49%, and its four-year rate was 34%, in the 2024-25 IPEDS reporting. These measures track an entering cohort of first-time, full-time students; they do not describe every transfer student, part-time student, or graduate student.

The reported first-year retention rate was 76%, meaning roughly three-quarters of the relevant first-time cohort returned the following fall. Retention and graduation measure different things: a student can return for a second year without ultimately completing a degree within the measured period.

Completion rates are useful when considering academic planning and the potential cost of extra semesters. They do not explain why an individual student left, transferred, changed enrollment status, or took longer to graduate. Transfer applicants in particular should examine degree applicability and course scheduling rather than treating the first-time-student rate as a personal forecast.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Radford University?

Early-career earnings reported for Radford University vary substantially by program. College Scorecard program figures dated October 2026 report earnings measured one year after completion for eligible graduates with earnings records - not a salary promised to every person who earns the degree.

For example, the reported one-year figure is about $58,900 for registered nursing and about $58,500 for computer science. The corresponding figures are about $42,600 for business administration, $28,400 for psychology, and $24,000 for fine and studio arts. These are program-level observations, not starting salaries from a single employer.

College Scorecard earnings measures depend on the graduates and federal records included in the calculation. They may exclude people without a qualifying earnings record and do not capture every form of work, further education, or long-term career growth. Students comparing majors should also consider program costs, licensing or graduate-study requirements, and the kinds of jobs they want to pursue.

Radford University Graduation Rate

Avg. graduation
49%
4-year graduation
34%
6-year graduation
49%

Radford University Retention and Employment

First-year retention, full-time students
76%
Employed 1 year after graduation
97%

Radford University Median Alumni Salary Over Time

1 year after graduation
$45,131
4 years after graduation
$57,832
5 years after graduation
$59,117
7 years after graduation
$64,331
10 years after starting college
$59,134

Alumni Salary for Radford University Degrees

Degrees

Avg. salary

Accounting and Related Services

$46,756

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

$47,821

Biology, General

$28,755

Business Administration, Management and Operations

$42,639

Chemistry

$34,461

Communication and Media Studies

$34,483

Computer Science

$58,548

Criminal Justice and Corrections

$34,468

Design and Applied Arts

$33,128

Economics

$36,450

Finance and Financial Management Services

$39,726

Fine and Studio Arts

$23,964

Geography and Cartography

$38,110

Health and Medical Administrative Services

$42,178

Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

$40,417

History

$25,381

Information Science/Studies

$45,291

Journalism

$24,593

Marketing

$41,188

Mathematics

$38,564

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

$35,277

Music

$28,956

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies

$30,562

Political Science and Government

$25,483

Psychology, General

$28,379

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$58,868

Social Work

$30,821

Sociology

$30,886

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

$32,271

Radford University Graduations Per Degree

BACHELOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Health Professions and Related Programs

37149420

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

60106166

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

8616102

Psychology

772299

Visual and Performing Arts

593392

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services

492877

Social Sciences

342862

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

451358

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

272653

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology

242852

MASTER’S Degree

Women Men Total

Health Professions and Related Programs

15221173

Education

12014134

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

231235

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

24226

Psychology

14519

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

8614

Visual and Performing Arts

448

English Language and Literature/Letters

527

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services

415

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

202

DOCTOR’S Degree

Women Men Total

Education

10515

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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