Roanoke College campus

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Roanoke College

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Salem, VA
  • 4.5 2 reviews
#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,804
Roanoke College overview
  • Location Salem, Virginia
  • Website roanoke.edu
  • Type Private 4 Year
  • Setting Midsize Suburban
  • Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church
Roanoke College overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad

Roanoke College, established in 1842, is a private liberal arts institution located in Salem, Virginia, approximately 10 minutes from downtown Roanoke and nestled in the Roanoke Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 80-acre suburban campus features a blend of historic red-brick Colonial Revival architecture and modern academic facilities, centered around a traditional quad. As a residential college, most students live in campus housing across 14 residence halls, fostering a close-knit undergraduate community. The college maintains a selective admission process and is known for its strong programs in business administration, psychology, and biology, while also offering specialized opportunities through the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning. Students compete in NCAA Division III athletics as the Maroons, with notable programs in basketball and soccer.

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Ratings

Roanoke College is rated within the top 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    7 out of 10
  • Academics
    8 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    7 out of 10
Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Roanoke College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult
Roanoke College admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1090/1300
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/31
  • GPA 3.56

Acceptance Rate

83.1%
Roanoke College applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 9.7%
  • Application Fee $30

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$38,068
Costs for Roanoke College
Fee Cost
Tuition $38,068
Books and Supplies $1,000
Other Fees $2,028
Room and Board $15,366
Budget for Other Expenses $2,250
Total One Year Cost $58,712
View Tuition & Financial Aid Details

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$51,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

69% within 6 years
View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Roanoke College are Business, Social Sciences, and Psychology. 25% of students major in Business, 16% in Social Sciences, and 10% in Psychology.

  • Business 25%
  • Social Sciences 16%
  • Psychology 10%
  • History 9%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 7%
View All 31 Majors

More Colleges to Consider

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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=233426.

GPA calculator: Roanoke College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026