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Roanoke College

Salem, VA·Private nonprofit·1,801 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 1,801 students.

80%
Accept
1,801
Students
$27,786
Net Price
66%
Grad Rate
$52,000
Earnings
10 yr
$22,313
Debt

About This School

Roanoke College is a private nonprofit institution located in Salem, Virginia with approximately 1,801 undergraduate students enrolled. Roanoke College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 80%. The average net price after financial aid is $27,786 per year. The graduation rate is 66%, and the typical graduate earns $52,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia. It has approximately 2,000 students who represent approximately 40 states and 30 countries. The college offers 35 majors, 57 minors and concentrations, and pre-professional programs. Roanoke awards bachelor's degrees in arts, science, and business administration and is one of 280 colleges with a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

This small liberal arts college in Salem, VA is worth considering if you want a tight-knit campus experience with real academic depth — Phi Beta Kappa membership and 35 majors signal genuine academic seriousness for a school this size. The numbers tell a mixed story, though: a 66% graduation rate means roughly one in three students doesn't finish, and while median debt of $22,313 is manageable, the $52,000 median earnings at 10 years is modest, so choose your major with career outcomes in mind. At $27,786 average net price, it's not a bargain unless the fit is truly right.

Founded
1842
Setting
Midsize suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing17%
Biological Sciences12%
Psychology9%
Social Sciences8%
Education7%
Physical Sciences7%
Health Professions4%
Communications3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

John McAfeeKim Kyu-sikJohn PayneAlice WhiteShelley OldsHenry H. FowlerPrince Yi Kang

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1193
Reading 75th %ile650
Math 75th %ile620

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite25

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$36,774
Out-of-State Tuition
$36,774
Avg Net Price
$27,786
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants24%
Median debt at graduation$22,313

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
66%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
78%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$22,313
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$22,313
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$37,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$52,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White77%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino7%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,801 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Roanoke College

221 College Lane

Salem, VA 24153-3794

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Virginia

Browse all Virginia schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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