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Radford University vs Randolph College: which has better ROI?

Public, Radford VA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lynchburg VA

The verdict

Radford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,312 in 10.8 years versus 12.6 years at Randolph College, on median earnings of $53,739 vs $53,409 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRadford UniversityRandolph College
Net price / yr$14,578$15,921
Total net cost$58,312$63,684
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,739$53,409
Median debt$24,000$26,950
Payback10.8 yrs12.6 yrs
20-year net return$49,268$37,296

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Radford University or Randolph College?

Radford University, at $14,578 a year after aid versus $15,921 — a gap of $1,343 a year, or $5,372 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Radford University or Randolph College graduates earn more?

Radford University graduates report a median $53,739 ten years after entry, $330 more than the $53,409 at Randolph College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Radford University or Randolph College?

Radford University: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $26,950 at Randolph College, a difference of $2,950. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Radford University, against 46% at Randolph College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Radford University vs Randolph College: frequently asked questions

Is Radford University or Randolph College a better value?
Radford University. It clears its $58,312 net cost in about 10.8 years versus 12.6 years at Randolph College, on median earnings of $53,739 vs $53,409 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Radford University or Randolph College?
Radford University: $14,578/yr net price after aid versus $15,921/yr at Randolph College — a difference of $1,343 a year, or about $5,372 over four years.
Do Radford University or Randolph College graduates earn more?
Radford University graduates earn a median $53,739 ten years after entry, versus $53,409 at Randolph College — a $330 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.