RADFORD – At its March quarterly meetings, the Radford University Board of Visitors voted to authorize a 1.5% tuition increase for all undergraduate students, a 3% increase for all graduate students and a mandatory comprehensive fee increase of 3.59% for the 2024-25 academic year.
The tuition and fee increases apply to all Radford University locations and will allow the university to continue delivering a high-quality experience for all students while it addresses rising operating costs.
For full-time undergraduate students, the in-state tuition increase is $127 and for out-of-state undergraduates the increase is $313. For full-time graduate students, the in-state increase is $284 and for out-of-state students is $500. The mandatory comprehensive fee increase is $135 for all full-time students.
The board proactively worked to reach a consensus and schedule a timely vote, allowing current and prospective students, and their families, to make informed decisions about the upcoming year.
Additionally, the board’s Business Affairs and Audit Committee is committed to monitoring the ongoing situation with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 2025 fiscal year budget and will bring any additional recommendations to the board at future meetings.
“The most important responsibility that we have as a board is to set tuition and fees, which ensures that a Radford degree is affordable and that students have a best-in-value experience,” said rector Debra K. McMahon. “It was essential for the board to act quickly, and we were able to do so thanks to careful planning, and the quality of information we received from vice president (for finance and administration) Rob Hoover and his staff during our budget workshop on Feb. 28.”
Two top priorities for decision making on tuition and fee increases were affordability and fiscal stewardship. By keeping its debt burden low and continuing sound financial planning practices, Radford University can maximize resources and address mandatory cost increases while remaining one of the state’s most affordable higher education institutions.
“At Radford University, we are committed to providing a high-quality, engaged student experience that remains affordable,” said President Bret Danilowicz. “Part of the reason that we can limit cost increases for students and families is that the funds provided to our institution by the Commonwealth of Virginia allow us to enhance our university experience while at the same time, developing robust financial aid programs for our students.”
In 2023-24, Radford University offered the fourth-most affordable four-year undergraduate total costs for in-state students among Virginia public institutions, at an average of $23,850. Total costs include tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees.
Over the past year, Radford has significantly enhanced its commitment to providing an affordable educational pathway for Virginians with the introduction of the Radford Tuition Promise, which takes effect for current and prospective students in 2024-25. The Radford Tuition Promise guarantees full coverage of tuition costs for in-state undergraduate students (in-person) whose Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $100,000 or less.
The tuition increase for the 2024-25 academic year will be covered by the Radford Tuition Promise.
In addition, Radford University automatically considers both new freshmen and transfer students for merit-based scholarships, such as the Highlander Distinction Program and the Transfer Excellence Scholarship. Along with direct institutional support, the Radford University Foundation awards over 600 unique scholarships totaling over $3 million annually.
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