Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Radford, Virginia
90.6% Acceptance Rate
Radford University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.6%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
1061Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$26,681Annual Cost
$53,739Grad Salary
35.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.6%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
1061
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
950–1170
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$16,640
Need-Based Aid
35.4% receive Pell
Radford University (VA) is a public comprehensive university that balances liberal arts with professional degree programs. Admissions focus on the strength of a student's high school record, including core academic units and class rigor. They look for students prepared for a supportive, mid-sized campus environment with strong faculty-student mentorship.
Radford University Acceptance Rate
Radford University (RU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 90.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Radford University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Radford University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 115 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
RU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
RU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at RU is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.51–3.71.RU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional; SAT/ACT submission does not adversely affect admission decisions; optional essay explicitly recommended as part of holistic review.
- Nursing: 3.5+ GPA with Bio/Chem or A&P passing grade = direct program admission; 3.0-3.49 = pre-nursing status requiring separate later application; below 3.0 fall-entry gets a mid-term/final-grade waitlist re-review, spring-entry does not.
- Medical laboratory science requires additional faculty review beyond standard admissions committee evaluation; RN-to-BSN and other degree-completion/fast-track programs don't offer direct admission.
- Radford Tuition Promise requires FAFSA by March 1 priority deadline; merit scholarships up to $10,000 (renewable 4 years) automatically considered for Feb. 1 regular-deadline applicants; separate Foundation Scholarships priority date is Feb. 5.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at RU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Radford University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Radford University (RU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if RU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into RU Without SAT or ACT?
RU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Radford University Average SAT Score: 1061
The average SAT score of admitted students at Radford University is 1061 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1061 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Radford University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 950, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at RU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 510 | 460 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 550 | 490 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1061 | 950 | 1170 |
Below 950, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Radford University (RU) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of RU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Radford University (RU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at RU is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Radford University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of RU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at RU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for RU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
RU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Calculate your GPA against three distinct nursing admission tiers, not one
Radford's nursing admission has three genuinely different outcomes based on GPA: 3.5+ (with a passing grade in Biology & Chemistry OR Anatomy & Physiology) gets direct admission to the nursing program itself; 3.0?3.49 gets you admitted as pre-nursing, requiring a separate later nursing department application; below 3.0 for fall entry gets you a waitlist option for a second review using mid-term/final grades, but spring-entry applicants don't get this waitlist safety net at all. Know exactly which tier you fall into and what it actually gets you - a 3.2 GPA sounds "good" but only buys you conditional pre-nursing status, not admission to the major itself.
Submit your optional essay anyway - Radford explicitly reviews everything you send
Radford states it "reviews everything an applicant submits in an effort to get to know that individual as well as possible" and specifically invites an optional essay. With only about 19% of admitted students submitting test scores and a fairly high overall acceptance rate (90%+), the essay is one of relatively few ways to add individualized context to a file that otherwise leans heavily on GPA and transcript - use it, especially if applying pre-nursing with a borderline GPA where narrative context about a grade trend could matter.
Know the fall-vs-spring nursing entry asymmetry before choosing your entry term
Fall-entry pre-nursing applicants who don't hit a 3.0 GPA get a second-review waitlist option using updated grades; spring-entry pre-nursing applicants explicitly do not get this same waitlist safety net. If your GPA is borderline and you have flexibility on when to start, fall entry gives you a real second chance that spring entry does not - factor this into your application timing decision if nursing is genuinely your goal.
Understand medical laboratory science requires a second layer of faculty review beyond admissions
Unlike most majors, which only require the standard admissions committee review, Radford's medical laboratory science program requires an additional faculty review of admission materials - a distinct, extra evaluation step. If you're applying to this specific program, expect a longer or more detailed review process than a typical Radford major, and check your Highlander Portal application checklist closely for any additional required documents specific to this faculty review.
Expert Insight:
The recurring mistake among Radford nursing applicants is treating a GPA in the 3.0-3.49 range as equivalent to nursing admission itself, when it only qualifies a student for pre-nursing status requiring a separate, later nursing department application. A student who assumes they're "in" the nursing program based on meeting this GPA threshold for pre-nursing status can be caught off guard when a further, distinct application step is still required down the road.
RU Profile
Full Name
Radford University (RU)
City
Radford
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
24142
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a RU Degree Worth It?
RU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $67,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.46%.
How much does a degree from RU Cost?
The sticker price is $26,681/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $16,640.
35.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 55.1% take federal loans at RU. File your FAFSA early and list RU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a RU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $53,739. That's about 32% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Radford University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Radford University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 1057 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Radford University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at RU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About RU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Radford University run about $53,739 a year.
At about $26,681 a year, Radford University is on the more affordable end.
About 35.4% receive a Pell Grant at Radford University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 90.6%, Radford University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Radford University average a 3.31 GPA.
Radford University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, Radford University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Radford University — aim above 1061, ideally within the 950–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Radford University is December 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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