Roanoke College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Roanoke College is located in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Roanoke College 11:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Roanoke College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Roanoke College or VWC? 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 Wesleyan University than Roanoke College ($21,267 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 22.4% lower than at Roanoke College ($11,930 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $568 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Roanoke College than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $568 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College as at Virginia Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Roanoke College students ($29,923 vs. $28,188).

Roanoke College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 50 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming VWC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Roanoke College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 1090/1300; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Roanoke College 24/31; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Roanoke College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Roanoke College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Roanoke College and VWC? 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 Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and Roanoke College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and Roanoke College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 57%)

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.