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SPU Randolph-Macon UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University JMU SU CNU Hollins College Liberty University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University| Roanoke College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
| Location | Salem, VA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Midsize Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,835 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #361 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | roanoke.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $34,820 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $34,820 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,366 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,695 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $26,341 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,829 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 5,468 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 80.1% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 9.7% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.56 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/30 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1090/1270 | 988/1258 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 69% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $51,200 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 75% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 0% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 58% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 40% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Roanoke College | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,835 students)
Roanoke College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Roanoke College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 42.1% more expensive to attend than Roanoke College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $34,820.00)
- Out of state tuition is 42.1% higher at PLU than Roanoke College ($49,472.00 vs. $34,820.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Roanoke College ($23,841 vs. $27,695)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 23.5% lower than costs at Roanoke College ($12,446 vs. $15,366)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Roanoke College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 49.8% larger than aid received Roanoke College ($39,464 vs. $26,341)
Roanoke College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Roanoke College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Roanoke College .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 25 points higher than at Roanoke College (1092)
- Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Roanoke College (24)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Roanoke College (3.56)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Roanoke College (80.1%)
Roanoke College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Roanoke College or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Roanoke College.
- The graduation rate at Roanoke College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (69% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $1,100 more per year than Roanoke College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $51,200)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Roanoke College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Roanoke College graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/