At $16,640/yr net price, Radford University graduates earn $53,739/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,739/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,640 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,560 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,739/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,739/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,289/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,883/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,533/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,204/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,537/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $102,123 | $97,314 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $73,769 | $90,018 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $71,015 | $29,554 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $70,736 | $60,807 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $62,508 | $43,089 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $24,636 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,366 | $18,953 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $53,608 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $50,952 | $20,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $24,900 |
The Risk Factor
49.6% of students at Radford University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Radford University gives you a middling financial return that depends heavily on what you study. The median graduate earns about the same as the debt load stays manageable, but the 49.6% graduation rate is the biggest problem here. Fewer than half of students finish, and if you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings.
Your major decides everything at Radford. Computer science pays the most and nursing follows close behind, and nursing does it while carrying the lowest debt of any top program here. Both clear the school's median earnings comfortably. Finance sits in the middle but comes with the heaviest debt of the top five, so it pays back slower than nursing despite a lower salary. Information science and the allied health programs land below the median, so expect a longer road to break even if you go that direction.
The main risk at Radford is not debt size, which stays moderate. It's the odds of finishing. A 72.67% retention rate means more than a quarter of freshmen don't return for year two. Pick a program without strong earnings, borrow, and drop out, and this becomes a bad deal fast.
Radford works best for you if you're headed into nursing or computer science and confident you'll graduate. If you come from a family earning under $48k, your net price drops to roughly $11,300 to $11,900 a year, which makes the math far easier to justify. Above $110k, you pay double that, and the return only holds up in the higher-paying majors. If you're undecided or leaning toward the lower-earning programs, price out cheaper in-state options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Radford University worth the cost?
Radford University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Healthcare programs like allied health diagnostics and rehabilitation therapy offer strong earning potential, but the overall graduate earnings of $53,739 after 10 years are below average for Virginia universities.
What are the best paying majors at Radford University?
Allied health diagnostic programs lead at $102,123 in median earnings, followed by rehabilitation therapy at $73,769. These healthcare fields significantly outperform the university's overall graduate earning average of $53,739.
How much debt do Radford University students graduate with?
Median student debt at Radford is $24,000, which is manageable compared to many universities. However, with nearly half of students not completing their degree, debt without a diploma is a real risk.
Should I attend Radford University if I'm not studying healthcare?
Consider other options if you're not pursuing Radford's strong healthcare programs. The 49.60% graduation rate and modest overall earning outcomes suggest limited value for students in other fields.