Head-to-head comparison
Radford University vs Randolph-Macon 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 Ashland, VA
Randolph-Macon College
- Net price / year
- $27,866
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,448
- Payback
- 11 yrs
Radford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,312 in 10.8 years versus 11 years at Randolph-Macon College, on median earnings of $53,739 vs $58,448 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Radford University | Randolph-Macon College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,578 | $27,866 |
| Total net cost | $58,312 | $111,464 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,739 | $58,448 |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $49,268 | $90,296 |
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-Macon College?
Radford University, at $14,578 a year after aid versus $27,866 — a gap of $13,288 a year, or $53,152 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-Macon College graduates earn more?
Randolph-Macon College graduates report a median $58,448 ten years after entry, $4,709 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Radford University or Randolph-Macon College?
Radford University: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Randolph-Macon College, a difference of $3,000. 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?
70% of students finish at Randolph-Macon 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.