Radford University welcomed incoming students

Radford University welcomed a freshmen class of nearly 1,900 Highlanders, an 8.5% increase over last year.

“We’re excited to about the interest in Radford University and excited to welcome our new Highlanders,” said Kitty McCarthy, vice president for Enrollment Management. “Continued outreach to prospective students and their families and communication about the many opportunities that Radford University offers have resulted in a diverse and academically prepared class.”

While the incoming class is larger than the 2020 class, the new freshmen also increased the academic profile of the university. Incoming students represented an increase of 3% in terms of high school GPA. The diverse 2021 class has 33% of incoming students identifying as a racial minority. Approximately 40% of the new students are first-generation college students.

The class of 2021 represents students from all over Virginia, including the Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach, Richmond and Southwest Virginia regions. Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia and Florida are also represented in the incoming class.

Of the incoming freshmen who have already declared a major, 25% have declared majors in STEM-H fields, including science, technology and nursing, and allied health.

Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 28. Final enrollment characteristics will be determined during the university’s fall semester census on Sept. 11.