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#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

Roanoke College Admission Requirements

Salem, Virginia

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Roanoke College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

80.1%
Admission Difficulty for Roanoke College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Roanoke College is 80.1%.  Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Roanoke College and can you get accepted?

Roanoke College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,468 out of the 6,829 who applied were admitted.

Roanoke College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.56. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Roanoke College?

80% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Roanoke College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.56 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Roanoke College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.56

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Roanoke College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Roanoke College are to have around a 3.56 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.56 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Roanoke College accepts 80% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Roanoke College is 3.56 on the 4.0 scale. 24% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #22 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Roanoke College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Roanoke College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 24.46% Good
3.75 to 3.99 12.99% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 20.13% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.85% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.64% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.12% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.81% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Roanoke College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Roanoke College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 29% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1090-1270

Applicants Submitting SAT 

29%
SAT Scores for Roanoke College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 560
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1090
SAT Scores for Roanoke College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1270
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Roanoke College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Roanoke College is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1090-1270. Students who get into Roanoke College score in the top 43 percent of all SAT test takers..  Roanoke College ranks #17 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Roanoke College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1090, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Roanoke College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1180, you have around a 80% chance of being admitted. A 1270 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

Roanoke College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1270 and Above Good >88%
1180 to 1270 Avg + 80%-88%
1090 to 1180 Avg - 68%-80%
1000 to 1090 Reach 53%-68%
Less than 1000 Low <53%
Calculate My Chances 

Roanoke College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for Roanoke College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 24
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Roanoke College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Roanoke College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Roanoke College is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 30.  The school ranks #16 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Roanoke College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Roanoke College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Roanoke College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 80% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 30 ACT score.

Roanoke College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >88%
26 to 30 Avg + 80%-88%
22 to 26 Avg - 68%-80%
18 to 22 Reach 53%-68%
Less than 18 Low <53%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

67% of Roanoke College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Roanoke College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16.27%
Top 25% of class 33.33%
Top 50% of class 67%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Roanoke College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,077 2,752 6,829
Accepted 3,257 2,211 5,468
Acceptance Rate 80% 80% 80%
Enrolled 292 239 531
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 11% 10%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Roanoke College is $30.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Roanoke College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Roanoke College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Roanoke College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Roanoke College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.56 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1180 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Roanoke College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=233426 IPEDS survey data for Roanoke College.

Last updated February 24, 2025