Head-to-head comparison
Radford University vs Randolph College: which has better ROI?
Option A Radford, VA
Radford University
- Net price / year
- $14,578
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,739
- Payback
- 10.8 yrs
Option B Lynchburg, VA
Randolph College
- Net price / year
- $15,921
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,409
- Payback
- 12.6 yrs
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.)
| Measure | Radford University | Randolph 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 |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 12.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $49,268 | $37,296 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.