Exploring Radford University’s Blend of Community, Outdoors, and Experiential Learning

Located in Virginia’s New River Valley, Radford University offers a mix of hands-on academics, student-focused support, and access to outdoor recreation. With around 6,500 undergraduates on its main campus, Radford maintains a mid-sized feel while offering a wide range of programs and facilities. 

Radford emphasizes practical, real-world experience across many of its programs. Students have access to labs such as physiology, anatomy, and drone technology, and the university encourages participation in applied learning before graduation. 

Average class sizes are small—around 20 students—with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university offers more than 40 majors and over 100 minors. First-generation students make up roughly 35% of the student body, and Radford provides dedicated support through advising programs such as the Highland Success Center with career advisers to help undecided students select a final focus by the end of freshman year. 

The Radford University Carilion (RUC) site in Roanoke provides direct clinical exposure for students pursuing careers in healthcare fields. RUC strengthens Radford’s hands-on approach through its early assurance Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, direct-entry nursing program, and emergency response center. 

Students can participate in living-learning communities, join some of the more than 200 student organizations, take part in esports center activities, and explore numerous other opportunities to meet others with shared interests. Athletics include 15 NCAA Division I teams, and many students also take part in club and intramural sports. Though Radford does not have a football team, the university has a student section at nearby Virginia Tech football games through a campus partnership. 

The surrounding New River Valley provides opportunities for hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. RU Outdoors organizes trips and offers equipment for students wanting to explore the region. In fact, Radford University was recently named a 2025 Top Adventure College. 

There is a lot to consider when selecting a college and learning about the unique programs offered can be very helpful. Confident College Planning guides students and families in the process of finding colleges which best meet their personal needs and interests so that the student will be most successful. Our services include planning discussions for exploring majors, making college lists and college visits, and individualized attention for essay editing, application review and tracking, scholarship research, and funding strategies. Contact me at confidentcollegeplanning@gmail.com for a discussion on what I can do for you!