Radford University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Radford University charges a net price of $14,578/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $58,312. Graduates earn a median $53,739 ten years after entry, $5,379/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.8 years — a 20-year net return of $49,268, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Radford University's 10.8-year payback ranks #823 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 36% of them, and #22 of 81 in Virginia.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,578/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $58,312 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,739 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,379/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $49,268 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Radford University's own numbers. Net price $14,578 × 4 years = $58,312 total. Median earnings $53,739 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,379 a year of premium. $58,312 ÷ $5,379 = 10.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $49,268. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Radford University students graduate with?
A median $24,000 in federal loans among completers, or 45% of the $53,739 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Radford University students graduate?
49% finish their degree — 51% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $58,312 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $119,004 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Radford University expensive compared with other Virginia colleges?
Its $14,578 net price runs $4,488 below the $19,066 median across the 81 Virginia colleges we profile, and $17,952 less across the full degree.