The university's administration is overseen by a 15-member board, whose members are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth and serve four-year terms.

List of presidents: Radford University's undergraduate programs emphasize the liberal arts, business, sciences, and teacher education.

[11] Special programs include Study Abroad, Honors Academy, RU Connections freshmen living/learning communities, internships, co-ops, practical and service learning, Army ROTC, leading to commissions in the U.S. Army, and undergraduate research opportunities.

Radford University and Northern Virginia Community College signed a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement on August 28, 2017.

[13] The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has authorized three doctoral programs at Radford in counseling psychology, physical therapy, and nursing practice.

The town is located in the Virginia Highlands, between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains at a double bend in the New River.

Nearly all of the 31 administrative, academic, student services, and residence halls, some built in a red-brick Georgian style, are located on a main lawn and two quadrangles and a pedestrian thoroughfare in a 76-acre (310,000 m2) area, while a large adjoining area along the New River separated from the main campus by U.S. Route 11 and the Norfolk Southern railroad holds the university's athletic facilities, student parking lots, and student apartments.

The following fall semester, the new CHBS (College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences) Building opened its doors.

Bordering the Little River, and about five miles from campus, is the Selu Conservancy, a 376-acre (1.52 km2) reserve, observatory, retreat, and conference center owned by the University Foundation.

The university's teams are known as the Highlanders (in honor of the region's Scots-Irish heritage) and compete in the Big South Conference.

The Radford men's rugby club team won the Division II National Championship in 2003 and 2008.

The Patrick D. Cupp Stadium adds an intercollegiate soccer, lacrosse, and track and field complex.