Roanoke College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Roanoke College in Salem, VA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Roanoke College is located in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Roanoke College 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Roanoke College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Roanoke College or VCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Roanoke College than VCU ($26,044 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Roanoke College are 15.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,366 vs. $18,254).
• Roanoke College is 124.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $21,123 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at VCU than at Roanoke College (about $2,041 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 98.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($28,188 vs. $14,186).

Roanoke College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Roanoke College or VCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VCU and Roanoke College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 60 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 1090/1300; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 24/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Roanoke College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Roanoke College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Roanoke College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Roanoke College and VCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.