Set in the New River Valley of south-west Virginia, Radford is a public university in a small town with the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon. It's known for nursing, criminal justice, computer science and teacher education. Since absorbing Jefferson College of Health Sciences in 2019, it also runs Radford University Carilion in Roanoke for health programmes. Tuition is modest for a US public university.
Radford, Virginia, United States
Official website: radford.edu
Public university in Virginia
1910
Radford and Roanoke (Radford University Carilion)
New River Valley
$22,000 – $27,000
International students, undergraduate out-of-state tuition
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on radford.edu before you apply.
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Criminal Justice
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
Nursing and health programmes on a second campus in Roanoke.
Outdoor life along the New River and nearby Blue Ridge trails.
Low tuition for an American public university.
Nursing and health graduates join Carilion Clinic and other Virginia health systems.
Computer science graduates find IT roles in Virginia and the Washington DC area.
F-1 graduates can apply for OPT, and STEM majors can extend it.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Radford is a small college town where campus meets Main Street, and Bisset Park runs along the New River below. Blacksburg and Virginia Tech are about 20 minutes away.
Rent is low and life is quiet. Roanoke, the region's main city, is about 45 minutes away, and a car helps for anything beyond town.
Form I-20 issued by Radford University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Radford reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply by spring for fall entry or by October for spring, to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
Students start in August or January.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Radford University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, nursing, criminal justice and business administration are popular. Undergraduate entry is based on secondary school grades plus IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 79. Nursing is more competitive.
Radford offers merit scholarships to international undergraduates that can bring down the out-of-state tuition. Check the international admissions page for current awards.
