Roanoke College vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Roanoke College vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Roanoke College or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech than Roanoke College ($24,912 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Roanoke College are 7.2% lower than at Virginia Tech ($15,366 vs. $16,550).
• Roanoke College is 138.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $22,120 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Roanoke College than at Virginia Tech (about $304 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Virginia Tech (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 207.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($28,188 vs. $9,168).

Roanoke College vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Roanoke College or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech and Roanoke College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 170 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Roanoke College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 1090/1300; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 24/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Roanoke College - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Roanoke College vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Roanoke College and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Roanoke College's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Roanoke College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have a $3,034 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($23,966 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roanoke College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 75%)

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.