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Radford University is distinguished by a large selection of academic programs, a student-focused faculty and a student body deeply engaged in university life. The student body of 8,878 studies in seven colleges: Business and Economics, Education and Human Development, Waldron College of Health and Human Services, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, Science and Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. RU is located on the New River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia. 
The People
Total Enrollment: 8,878
7,773 undergraduates
1,005 graduate students
60 percent female, 40 percent male
42 states, 50 foreign countries
* 82 percent of faculty hold doctorates or terminal degrees in their field
* Fewer than three percent of classes taught by graduate assistants
* Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
* Average freshman class size 30 students
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"I visited RU and fell in love with the campus"
-- frequent comment from students asked what factors helped them choose RU
RU is a coeducational, comprehensive public university offering 67 degree programs at the undergraduate level and 20 fields of study at the graduate level that have 18 options or specializations and seven post baccalaureate certificates. (See Academics)
It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia in the city of Radford alongside the beautiful New River. (See Visit RU for map, directions, more.)
RU is also wherever faculty take it -- in person and through distance learning technology. Off-campus learning sites include the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon and other locations throughout Southwest and Southside Virginia.
The RU campus sits on approximately 177 acres of land in the City of Radford (see RU Map). The university atmosphere is residential. Most students live in one of the 15 university residence halls or in private accommodations within walking distance of the campus. The university grounds and facilities are conveniently arranged, beautifully maintained and effectively designed to meet the academic, personal and extracurricular needs and interests of the students.
History: Founded in 1910, RU has been granting graduate degrees since 1964. In 1972, after almost 60 years as an all-women's college, Radford became coeducational and in 1979 was granted university status by the General Assembly. Penelope W. Kyle became RU’s sixth president when she took office June 1, 2005. In fall of 2008, students will enroll in the university’s first doctoral program.
Student learning -- the primary focus of everything we do at RU.
Faculty development -- first-rate, dedicated teachers helping each other become even better.
Service -- from service-learning, faculty speakers, cultural events, economic development and business assistance to preparing excellent and caring nurses, teachers, law enforcement and probation officers, social workers, businesspersons and others to meet the needs of the community, the Commonwealth and the nation.
RU anthropology professor Donna Boyd was named U.S. Professor of the Year for master’s level universities and colleges by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching in 2006. Dr. Boyd is also one of eight RU professors who have received Virginia’s highest honor for faculty since inception of the state’s Outstanding Faculty Award in 1986.
Since 1981, nine RU faculty members have been selected as Fulbright Scholars to teach or do research in other countries.
Based on our most recent surveys, approximately 93 percent of RU graduates obtain employment or enroll in graduate school within 3 to 8 months of graduation.
RU fields a Division I athletic program with students competing in 17 varsity sports — 7 for men and 10 for women. The Highlanders compete in the Big South Conference. (See Highlander Athletics.)
For the 2009-2010 academic year, tuition and fees for a full-time, in-state, undergraduate student total $6,904 per year (two semesters); for a full-time, out-of-state undergraduate, tuition and fees are $16,568. With room and board, the total for in-state undergraduates is $13,776; for out-of-state undergraduates, it is $23,440. Financial assistance includes loans, grants, work study and fellowships. Approximately 62 percent of RU undergraduate students receive financial aid.