About Roanoke College
Students pay an average net price of $27,786 after financial aid, making this private education more accessible than the sticker price suggests. Graduates earn a median of $58,047 ten years after graduation, which helps justify the typical $27,000 in student debt. The 73.94% loan repayment rate indicates most alumni manage their monthly $286 payments successfully. About one-quarter of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves middle-class families effectively.
The Maroons compete in 23 Division III sports with 532 total athletes, meaning nearly 30% of students play varsity athletics. The 68.48% four-year graduation rate reflects the college's focus on keeping students on track. Students stick around at a 77.89% retention rate, suggesting most find what they're looking for in this Blue Ridge Mountain setting.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83.9%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 68.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 65.9%
- Retention Rate
- 77.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,047
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,938 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $35,600 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $33,281 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,598 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $27,476 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $25,658 |
| History. | Bachelor | $20,140 |
Campus Life
Students need both winter coats and shorts here. Virginia's four-season climate means snow in January and 80-degree days in September. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know your name. Nearly 30% of students participate in varsity athletics as Maroons, competing in 23 Division III sports.
Weekend life centers around campus traditions and outdoor adventures. Students hike the nearby Appalachian Trail or explore downtown Roanoke's markets and restaurants. The college's Lutheran heritage shapes its close-knit community feel without being overwhelming. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate social scenes. With 77.89% of freshmen returning, most students find their place in this tight community where academic support and mountain adventures go hand in hand.
- Setting
- Suburb-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 1,540 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1842
Campus Safety (2023)
12 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 28°–47°F
- July Avg
- 67°–88°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 42.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 14.8"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 45.6%
- Women
- 54.4%
- White
- 77.4%
- Black
- 6.4%
- Hispanic
- 6.6%
- Asian
- 1.8%
- In-State Students
- 51.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 24.3%
Location
- Address
- Salem, Virginia 24153-3794
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,047
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $57,142
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $37,800
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 73.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Roanoke College?
Roanoke College accepts 79.76% of applicants, making it accessible to most qualified students. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1070 and 1260 on the SAT. This Lutheran liberal arts college values well-rounded admissions beyond just test scores.
How much does Roanoke College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $27,786 after aid, less than the $53,140 sticker price. About 25.82% of students receive institutional grants averaging $36,176. Graduates typically leave with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Roanoke College?
Roanoke maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,801 total students. This small liberal arts environment allows for close mentoring relationships. The college is known for strong pre-professional programs that prepare students for graduate school and careers.
What are the career outcomes for Roanoke College graduates?
Graduates earn a median salary of $58,047 ten years after graduation with a 97.5% employment rate. The six-year graduation rate stands at 65.90%, reflecting the supportive academic environment. Alumni include Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche, demonstrating the college's tradition of developing leaders.
Where is Roanoke College located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in Salem, Virginia, a mid-size suburban community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With housing capacity for 1,540 students and 532 varsity athletes competing in 23 NCAA Division III sports, campus life centers around academics and athletics. The Maroons compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with no athletic scholarships.
Does Roanoke College have a religious affiliation?
Roanoke College maintains an Evangelical Lutheran affiliation dating back to its 1842 founding. The student body is 77.35% white with about 51% coming from Virginia. The college's motto "Esse quam videri" means "to be rather than to seem," reflecting its emphasis on authentic character development.
