Radford University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive merit scholarships for freshmen
- Honors College opportunities and regional tuition programs
- How to stack awards and meet key financial aid deadlines
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~90%
- Middle 50% ACT: 19–26
- Middle 50% SAT: 930–1170
- Average HS GPA: 3.47 (weighted)
Source: Radford University Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Radford University at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
Radford University offers automatic merit scholarships for incoming freshmen—no extra application required. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 per year through the Highlander Distinction Scholarship (amounts vary by residency) and are renewable for four years. Students who apply by November 1 (Early Action) or by February 1 (regular) are best positioned for scholarships and aid.
Residents of participating Southern states may also qualify for in-state tuition through the Academic Common Market if their chosen major qualifies. Honors students gain access to extra research and study-abroad support through Radford’s Honors College.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Radford is test-optional; SAT/ACT are considered if submitted and superscored (see CDS).
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 19–26; SAT 930–1170 (Radford CDS 2024–25).
What’s the average net price? $16,640 (College Scorecard). Net price varies by family income and aid.
Does this school offer reciprocity or nonresident waivers? Yes — Radford participates in the Academic Common Market, allowing qualifying out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition for eligible majors.
https://www.radford.edu/institutional-research/_documents/cds-2024.pdf
https://www.radford.edu/admissions/freshmen/application-guidelines.html
https://www.radford.edu/financial-aid/aid-types.html
https://www.radford.edu/bursar/tuition-fees/index.html
https://www.radford.edu/admissions/cost/tuition-promise.html
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233277-Radford-University=
https://www.sreb.org/academic-common-market
💰 Cost of Attendance at Radford University
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (annual) | $12,529 | $26,734 |
| Housing & Meals (standard plan) | $12,623 | $12,623 |
| Total (billed directly to Radford) | $25,152 | $39,357 |
Note: Totals above include only charges paid directly to Radford University (tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans). Other expenses — such as books & supplies (~$1,200), transportation (~$3,000), and personal costs (~$3,000) — are excluded because they are not billed by the university and vary by student.
Who qualifies? Residents of participating SREB states enrolled in approved Radford majors not offered at home.
How much can you save? About $14,000 per year by paying the in-state rate through ACM.
Is it automatic? No — certification through your state’s ACM coordinator is required before enrollment.
https://www.radford.edu/bursar/tuition-fees/index.html
https://www.radford.edu/admissions/cost/tuition-promise.html
https://www.radford.edu/financial-aid/aid-types.html
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/institution-profile/233277
https://www.sreb.org/academic-common-market
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Distinction Scholarship (In-State) | $2,500–$4,000/yr | First-time freshmen, Virginia residents; automatic with admission. Awarded based on unweighted GPA, class rigor, optional test scores. Lower tier: ~3.3–3.5 GPA; higher: 3.7–3.9+ GPA and ACT 25+/SAT 1210+ if submitted. |
No | Yes — 2.5 GPA, 12+ credits, and good standing | Most recipients: mid-50% GPA 3.3–3.7; max award: 3.8+ and advanced coursework, ACT 25+/SAT 1210+ | Nov 1 (EA), Feb 1 (priority) |
| Highlander Distinction Scholarship (Out-of-State) | $6,000–$10,000/yr | First-time freshmen, non-residents; similar process as in-state, with higher awards accessible to 3.5–3.9+ GPA students with rigorous background and optional high ACT/SAT. | No | Yes — 2.5 GPA, 12+ credits, and good standing | Winners: 3.5–3.8+ GPA typical, challenging courses, optional ACT 25+/SAT 1210+ for higher amount. | Nov 1 (EA), Feb 1 (priority) |
*Exact band cutoffs can vary year-to-year with the size and quality of the applicant pool. Award amounts, cutoffs, and renewal specifics are updated each cycle.
Is a separate scholarship application required? No — consideration is automatic with the freshman admissions application by scholarship deadlines.
Will submitting test scores help? Radford is test-optional, but submitting strong scores (ACT 25+/SAT 1210+) can help land a higher award, especially if paired with advanced high school coursework.
Can these scholarships be stacked? Foundation, departmental, and outside scholarships can stack up to cost of attendance. Tuition-only waivers such as ACM may reduce this award.
https://www.radford.edu/content/admissions/home/undergraduate/tuition-scholarships.html
https://www.radford.edu/content/finaid/home/types/merit-scholarships/highlander-distinction.html
https://www.radford.edu/content/finaid/home/policies/eligibility.html
https://radford.academicworks.com/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Some universities offer a handful of named, highly selective scholarships for incoming freshmen (think full-ride or full-tuition cohorts with interviews or essays). Radford University does not advertise any central, university-wide competitive freshman awards of this type.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What Makes It Competitive | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No university-wide competitive freshman scholarships are currently listed. | ||||||
Does Radford offer a Presidential or Stamps Scholarship? No. Radford does not currently list any central, full-ride competitive awards for freshmen.
So where do the selective opportunities live? Through Radford’s donor-funded Foundation Scholarships, departmental awards, or Honors College programs — these are covered in later sections.
Can freshmen still get extra aid beyond automatic merit? Yes. Applying for the Foundation Scholarship portal (opens Nov 1, priority deadline early February) is the main way to compete for additional donor-funded support.
https://www.radford.edu/content/admissions/home/undergraduate/tuition-scholarships.html
https://www.radford.edu/content/finaid/home/types/merit-scholarships.html
https://radford.academicworks.com/
🎖️ Honors College
The Radford University Honors College is designed for students who want smaller classes, close faculty mentorship, and a chance to push themselves through research, leadership, and creative projects. Admission is selective, but it’s a supportive community where first-gen and high-achieving students alike can thrive.
- Priority registration and access to small, seminar-style classes
- Special Honors housing options for community and support
- Funding for undergraduate research, conference travel, and study abroad
- Capstone projects and faculty mentorship that help with grad school or career placement
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No named Honors-specific scholarships for incoming freshmen are currently listed. | |||||
- Atlantic Union Bank Honors Academy Scholarship: Awarded to juniors and seniors in the Honors Academy who show strong academic standing and active participation. Application is via the main Foundation portal.
- McGlothlin Honors Global Scholarship: Study abroad support for active Honors College students; application details via Education Abroad office.
- Honors Undergraduate Research Awards: Up to $500 annually to support research for juniors and seniors pursuing Honors capstone/thesis work.
Is admission automatic? No. Students must apply to the Honors College, but select high-achievers may receive invitations based on their admissions file.
Does Honors add time to a degree? No. The Honors curriculum is designed to complement — not extend — your degree requirements.
When should students apply? The Honors application is available after university admission. Early application (in fall/winter of senior year) maximizes chance for funding.
Does Honors come with extra scholarships? There are no dedicated, full-ride or automatic Honors scholarships for incoming freshmen. Research, travel, and continuing-student awards are available through the Foundation and program offices.
https://www.radford.edu/content/honors/home.html
https://www.radford.edu/content/honors/home/academy.html
https://radford.academicworks.com/
https://www.radford.edu/content/honors/home/apply.html
https://www.radford.edu/content/honors/home/benefits.html
https://abroad.radford.edu/?go=StudyAbroadScholarships
⭐ College Specialty
Radford may not have the name recognition of Virginia’s big flagships, but it has carved out a reputation for hands-on professional programs and close faculty mentoring. For many first-gen families, this means your student can access nationally respected degrees in health, business, and the arts without getting lost in a giant campus. Radford is classified as an R2 research university, emphasizing applied research and teaching.
- Business (Davis College of Business & Economics): AACSB-accredited since 1992 (top 5% worldwide), reaffirmed in 2023.
- Interior Design: CIDA-accredited BFA concentration; prepares students for NCIDQ licensure exams — one of only a handful of accredited programs in Virginia.
- Army ROTC — New River Battalion: Ranked #1 nationally in 2025 among 274 Army ROTC programs, highlighting leadership development opportunities.