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Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia 24153-3794

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitSuburbanGreek life

Known for business

Roanoke College is a private institution in Salem with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1193, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.8K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

66% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,047 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $27,786.

Established
1842
Motto
"Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat"
Mascot
Rooney (a "Maroon-tailed Hawk")
Type
Private liberal arts college
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

80%Acceptance
1193SAT Avg
1,801Students
11:1Student:Faculty
66%Grad Rate
$58,047Earnings 10yr
$27,786Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate80.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1193

Reading & WritingMid: 590
560650
MathMid: 565
530620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2230

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$36,774
Room & Board$15,366
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$54,059
Average Net Price$27,786
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,269
$30–48K$19,396
$48–75K$24,279
$75–110K$26,939
$110K+$32,137

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

19.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-1.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,313

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

13

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (34)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

78%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,801
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
21%
Pell Grant Recipients
24%

Race & Ethnicity

White 77%
Black 6%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate65.9%
Freshman Retention77.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,330
10 Years$58,047

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#130
vs 2024
Forbes
#462
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#196
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

TrackBasketball championshipLacrosse championship400m trackLacrosse withBasketball with

History & Fun Facts

  • Originally located in Augusta County near Staunton, the school was named Virginia Institute until chartered on January 30, 1845, as Virginia Collegiate Institute.
  • In 1847, the institute moved to Salem which was developing into a center of commerce and transportation in the region; the school moved all of its possessions in a single covered wagon.
  • The Virginia General Assembly granted a college charter on March 14, 1853 and approved the name Roanoke College, chosen in honor of the Roanoke Valley.
  • Bittle then served as the college's first president.
  • The student body was organized into a corps of cadets and fought with Confederate forces near Salem in December 1863.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

106Above Average

Estimated from VA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K
131 mi(227 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
149 mi(258 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
198 mi(343 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RDU Raleigh-Durham120 mi
RIC Richmond151 mi
CLT Charlotte152 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
New York, NY401 mi · ~11h 35m drive
Hartford, CT500 mi · ~14h 27m drive
Providence, RI556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Albany, NY498 mi · ~14h 23m drive
Syracuse, NY448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Rochester, NY425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Buffalo, NY391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Philadelphia, PA321 mi · ~9h 16m drive
Pittsburgh, PA217 mi · ~6h 16m drive
Harrisburg, PA267 mi · ~7h 43m drive
Newark, NJ395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
Washington, DC198 mi · ~5h 43m drive
Baltimore, MD232 mi · ~6h 42m drive
Atlanta, GA345 mi · ~9h 58m drive
Charlotte, NC149 mi · ~4h 18m drive
Raleigh, NC131 mi · ~3h 47m drive
Miami, FL797 mi · ~23h 1m drive
Orlando, FL610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
Tampa, FL661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
Nashville, TN381 mi · ~11h drive
New Orleans, LA767 mi · ~22h 9m drive
Richmond, VA145 mi · ~4h 11m drive
Chicago, IL512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
Detroit, MI382 mi · ~11h 2m drive
Minneapolis, MN867 mi · ~25h 3m drive
St. Louis, MO560 mi · ~16h 11m drive
Kansas City, MO798 mi · ~23h 3m drive
Indianapolis, IN371 mi · ~10h 43m drive
Columbus, OH243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Cleveland, OH303 mi · ~8h 45m drive
Milwaukee, WI573 mi · ~16h 33m drive
Dallas, TX996 mi · ~28h 46m drive
Houston, TX1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Austin, TX1123 mi · ~32h 27m drive
San Antonio, TX1192 mi · ~34h 26m drive
Los Angeles, CA2141 mi · ~61h 51m drive
San Francisco, CA2301 mi · ~66h 28m drive
San Diego, CA2110 mi · ~60h 57m drive
Seattle, WA2239 mi · ~64h 41m drive
Portland, OR2252 mi · ~65h 3m drive
Denver, CO1354 mi · ~39h 7m drive
Phoenix, AZ1815 mi · ~52h 26m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1716 mi · ~49h 34m drive
Honolulu, HI4689 mi · ~135h 28m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Roanoke College Application Checklist

Decision Notifications