Roanoke College
#6 Best Education Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 67% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,047 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,503 D
- 43% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Education Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,506,489.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 42% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Roanoke College Matters
Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college in Salem, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,767
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 39
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences
Why students choose Roanoke College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1090–1300. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,503 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,047 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 75% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 83%, Roanoke College is a welcoming choice for students who value a close-knit community and a personalized educational experience. It’s ideal for those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Biology & Biomedical. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and encourages students to engage deeply with their studies, which can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities.
After graduation, Roanoke College alumni find themselves earning an average of $58,047 within ten years. This figure reflects a solid return on investment, especially considering the supportive atmosphere that helps students transition into the workforce. While affordability is a consideration, a significant portion of students—24%—receive Pell Grants, indicating that the college is accessible to those who need financial assistance.
When we look at the bottom line, the net price for students after aid is around $24,503, with a median debt of $27,000. This financial landscape can feel manageable for many, especially for those who take full advantage of the resources available on campus. Students who thrive here often appreciate the collaborative environment and are drawn to the strong sense of community, setting them up for both personal and professional success.
Rankings
- #6 Best Education Colleges in Virginia
- #11 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia
- #13 Best Communications Colleges in Virginia
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Virginia
- #18 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
- #22 Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia
- #22 Best Master's Programs in Virginia
- #23 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Roanoke College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Roanoke College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Salem, Virginia, Roanoke College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,211. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1211
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1090–1300
- ACT Range
- 24–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,553
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 21%
- Applicants
- 5,055
- Admitted
- 4,032
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Roanoke College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Roanoke College is $38,068, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,503. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,204 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $38,068
- Out-of-State
- $38,068
- Avg Net Price
- $24,503
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 80%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,204
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,410
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,638
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,087
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Roanoke College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Roanoke College earn a median of $58,047, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,330
- 8 Years
- $52,365
- 10 Years
- $58,047
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (357)
- 64%
- 100% (357)
- 64%
- 100% (357)
- 64%
- 100% (357)
- 64%
How Roanoke Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Roanoke College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Roanoke College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,503/year ($98,012 total). Graduates earn $58,047 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,604,501 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,506,489 (16.4× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $98,012
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,604,501
- Net Return
- $1,506,489
- ROI Multiple
- 16.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,503
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Roanoke College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Roanoke College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.02%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 35.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $111,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.02%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 35.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $111,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,164,879
- Investment Income
- $-18,326,712
Top Programs
The fields Roanoke College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Education 10%
- Psychology 9%
- Social Sciences 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 9%
- English & Literature 4%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Communications 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Roanoke College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Roanoke College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Salem, Virginia, Roanoke College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,211. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Roanoke College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Roanoke College is $38,068, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,503. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,204 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Roanoke College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Roanoke College earn a median of $58,047, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Roanoke College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Roanoke College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.02%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 35.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $111,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Roanoke College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Roanoke College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Roanoke College.
- The Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA · Close peer66% grad $57,106 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland, VA · Close peer72% grad $58,448 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA · Close peer62% grad $59,531 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMadison, NJ · Close peer70% grad $57,273 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of FindlayFindlay, OH · Close peer60% grad $56,996 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Roanoke College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Roanoke College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note