Radford University, a public institution in Radford, Virginia, is one of eight public universities in the state authorized to grant doctoral degrees. Established in 1910, the university offers over 100 undergraduate programs and a wide array of graduate degrees, including M.F.A., M.B.A., M.A., M.S., Ed.S., Psy.D., M.S.W., and doctoral programs in health-related fields. It is classified as a "Doctoral/Professional University."
Originally founded in 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford, the university began as a women's college with a focus on education and industrial training. Renamed the State Teachers College at Radford in 1924, its mission centered on preparing teachers for the Appalachian region. In 1943, Radford became the women's campus of the predominantly male Virginia Polytechnic Institute through a state-mandated merger. This merger ended in 1964, and Radford transitioned into a coeducational institution by 1972. Radford College was elevated to university status in 1979 after a period of significant growth, and in 2008, the Virginia General Assembly approved the introduction of three doctoral programs. The university awarded its first doctoral degrees in 2011.
Academics
Radford University offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs emphasizing liberal arts, business, sciences, and teacher education. Within the College of Business and Economics, both undergraduate and graduate business administration programs are accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The university boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 and an average class size of 19. Over 80 percent of faculty members hold terminal degrees such as Ph.D., M.B.A., M.F.A., or J.D. Radford provides special programs including 51成人导航 Abroad, the Honors Academy, RU Connections freshmen living/learning communities, internships, co-ops, service and practical learning opportunities, undergraduate research, and Army ROTC leading to U.S. Army commissions. Additionally, the university established a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement with Northern Virginia Community College on August 28, 2017.
What is the Radford University US News National Rankings 2025?
Radford University ranks 315 according to the US News National Rankings 2025.
Radford University Global Ranking
The University is still awaiting its official rankings from prominent organisations such as QS, Times Higher Education, and US News and World Report. Despite its growing reputation and contributions to academia, the university has not yet been featured in the rankings published by these influential bodies. But it has been ranked at #315 in Best Colleges by U.S. News in 2025.
Although the University continues to develop its academic programs and research initiatives, it remains unranked by these major international ranking institutions. The absence of a ranking from QS, Times Higher Education, and US News does not reflect the quality of education or research output but simply indicates that the university has not been formally assessed by these specific agencies.
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Frequently asked questions on Radford University Ranking 2025
1: What materials should one bring to an academic advising session?
A: Academic advising is a shared responsibility. Both the advisee and the advisor have responsibilities. The better prepared you are for the advising session, the more information you will get to cover with your advisor. Therefore, the advising session is as much your responsibility as it is the advisors. It is in your best interest to be as prepared as possible. Come to your appointment with a written list of questions, notes from previous advising sessions and any kind of documentation you feel is appropriate.
2: What is a degree audit (DegreeWorks - Students)?
A: The Degree Audit is located in your “Academics” icon on the portal; select Process New/View to view your audit. This audit will show what courses you have taken and will match it up with the program that you are pursuing. It will show what has been completed and what needs to be completed for your program. It also shows your overall GPA, your in-major GPA (may not be accurate depending on program) and your advisor's name. The degree audit and your progress sheet will allow you to track your progress to ensure you are meeting all requirements.