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Roanoke College

Salem, VA·Private·https://www.roanoke.edu/

At a Glance

Roanoke College is a small private nonprofit university in Salem, VA. Approximately 1,767 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 83% acceptance rate. Smith Mountain Lake is about 13 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 49 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 51/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

83%
Acceptance Rate
5,785 applications
27
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 24–31
$46,510
2024-25 Tuition
$24,503
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$15,366
Room & Board
19 meals/week
1,767
Undergraduates
Degree-seeking, all years
10%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
67%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity83% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

560610660

SAT Math

530580640

Location

Salem, VA

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Greek LifeGraduate Programs

Roanoke College is a small private nonprofit university in Salem, VA. Approximately 1,767 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 83% acceptance rate. Smith Mountain Lake is about 13 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 49 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 51/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

Campus Lifestyle

Roanoke College is a 1,000–4,999, suburban school with NCAA D3 athletics and a strong greek life Greek scene. The campus is 49 miles from Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Old Dominion Athletic Conf.

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Suburban setting

Weather

Warm Climate

52°F avg school-year

Greek Life at Roanoke College

At Roanoke College, 19% of men are in a fraternity and 17% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.

19%

Men in fraternities

17%

Women in sororities

Strong Greek Life

Greek life scale

Nearby Ski Resorts

Roanoke College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, 49 miles away with 1 lifts and 2 skiable acres. All are within 62 miles of campus.

2 skiable acres1 lifts
The Omni Homestead Resort

Virginia

50 mi away
42 skiable acres2 lifts
62 mi away
90 skiable acres12 lifts

Nearby Lake

Smith Mountain Lake is 13 miles from campus, giving Roanoke College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Smith Mountain Lake

Lake access within 13.4 miles

13 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Salem, VA

Salem has a mild climate, with winters averaging 38°F in Jan and summers peaking around 78°F in Jul.

38°Jan41°Feb48°Mar58°Apr66°May74°Jun78°Jul76°Aug70°Sep59°Oct48°Nov41°Dec

Station: ROANOKE BLACKSBURG REGIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Roanoke College in VA earns a composite safety score of 51/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

51/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety408234
40/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
82/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$46,510
Fees
$1,820
Room & Board
$15,366
Total
$63,696
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$24,503avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

36 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
72 grads/yr$69,323
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
49 grads/yr$65,112
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
39 grads/yr$55,246
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
39 grads/yr$49,018
Public HealthBachelor's
22 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor's16 grads$76,198
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's12 grads$71,604
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's72 grads$69,323
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's49 grads$65,112
Sociology
Bachelor's14 grads$59,580
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's17 grads$58,040
Biology, General
Bachelor's39 grads$55,246
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Bachelor's13 grads$54,957
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
Bachelor's grads$50,074
Psychology, General
Bachelor's39 grads$49,018

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Roanoke College located?

Roanoke College is located in Salem, VA. The main campus address is 221 College Lane, Salem, VA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Roanoke College?

Roanoke College has an acceptance rate of 83%, making it accessible. Out of 5,785 applicants, 4,805 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,767 enrolled.

How many students attend Roanoke College?

Roanoke College enrolls 1,767 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

What ACT score do you need for Roanoke College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Roanoke College scored between 24 and 31 on the ACT, with a median of 27. About 6% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Roanoke College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Roanoke College charges $46,510/year in tuition. Including room and board ($15,366/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $48,330/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $24,503/year — what students actually pay. Use Roanoke College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What NCAA division is Roanoke College in?

Roanoke College competes in NCAA Division III, part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conf.. Division III programs compete without athletic scholarships and emphasize academics alongside varsity sport.

What percentage of students at Roanoke College are in Greek life?

At Roanoke College, 19% of men are in a fraternity and 17% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters exist and are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.

Is Roanoke College the right fit for me?

Whether Roanoke College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (83% admit rate), avg net price ($24,503/year after aid), campus culture in Salem, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Roanoke College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Roanoke College directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Salem, VA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Old Dominion Athletic Conf.
School Year Weather
Warm · 52°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
51/100
Nearest Airport
Roanoke, VA (ROA) · 5 mialso LWB (43 mi), LYH (47 mi)
Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.