Roanoke College Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Salem, VA
  • 4.5 2 reviews
#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

Roanoke College Admission Overview

Roanoke College admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Roanoke College admitted 83.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.56 GPA (A-) and SAT 1090-1300 / ACT 24-31. Roanoke College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Roanoke College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

83.1%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Roanoke College

Acceptance Rate

The Roanoke College acceptance rate is 83.1%. Last year, 4,805 of 5,785 applicants were admitted. That is the 22nd lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Roanoke College typically attracts "A-" 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.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Roanoke College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.56

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.56

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Roanoke College typically have around a 3.56 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Roanoke College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

24% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #22 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Roanoke College freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Roanoke College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1090-1300

Freshmen who sent SAT

25%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 560
  • Math 530
  • Composite 1090
SAT 25th percentile scores for Roanoke College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 660
  • Math 640
  • Composite 1300
SAT 75th percentile scores for Roanoke College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Roanoke College typically score around a 1200 SAT (middle 50% 1090–1300) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 76th percentile nationally. Roanoke College ranks #14 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1090 to 1300

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Roanoke College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Roanoke College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1300+ Above 75th >90%
1200 to 1300 Avg + 83%-90%
1090 to 1200 Avg - 72%-83%
Below 1090 Below mid-50 <72%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Roanoke College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

24-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

6%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 25
  • Math 22
  • Composite 24
ACT 25th percentile scores for Roanoke College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 30
  • Math 27
  • Composite 31
ACT 75th percentile scores for Roanoke College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Roanoke College typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 24–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Roanoke College places #12 among colleges in Virginia for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Roanoke College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Roanoke College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
31+ Above 75th >91%
27 to 31 Avg + 83%-91%
24 to 27 Avg - 74%-83%
Below 24 Below mid-50 <74%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Roanoke College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Roanoke College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,071 2,704 5,785
Accepted 2,563 2,233 4,805
Acceptance Rate 83% 83% 83%
Enrolled 231 237 468
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 11% 10%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Roanoke College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Roanoke College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Roanoke College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 83.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.56 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1090-1300); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Roanoke College often consider these colleges

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

GPA calculator: Roanoke College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026