Radford University vs Roanoke College: which has better ROI?
Roanoke College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,012 in 10.1 years versus 10.8 years at Radford University, on median earnings of $58,047 vs $53,739 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Radford University | Roanoke College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,578 | $24,503 |
| Total net cost | $58,312 | $98,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,739 | $58,047 |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $49,268 | $95,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Radford University or Roanoke College?
Radford University, at $14,578 a year after aid versus $24,503 — a gap of $9,925 a year, or $39,700 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 Roanoke College graduates earn more?
Roanoke College graduates report a median $58,047 ten years after entry, $4,308 more than the $53,739 at Radford University. 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 Roanoke College?
Radford University: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Roanoke College, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Roanoke College, against 49% at Radford University. 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.