Roanoke College vs. VCU

Roanoke College and Virginia Commonwealth University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Roanoke College
Virginia Commonwealth University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Roanoke College (83.1% admitted vs 92.6%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,044 at Roanoke College vs $26,836 at VCU. Roanoke College in-state tuition is about $21,123 more per year.
  • Graduation: Roanoke College 69% vs VCU 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Roanoke College $51,200 vs VCU $47,500 (median).
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Key differences

Roanoke College Virginia Commonwealth University
Acceptance rate
Roanoke College more selective
Roanoke College83.1%
VCU92.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Roanoke College higher
Roanoke College1090-1300
VCU1010-1270
Average net price
About even
Roanoke College$26,044
VCU$26,836
In-state tuition
VCU $21,123 less
Roanoke College$38,068
VCU$16,945
Out-of-state tuition
Roanoke College $2,041 less
Roanoke College$38,068
VCU$40,109
Graduation rate
Roanoke College +16 pts
Roanoke College69%
VCU53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Roanoke College +$3,700
Roanoke College$51,200
VCU$47,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Roanoke College 5,785
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • Roanoke College 4,805
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance rate
  • Roanoke College 83.1%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Roanoke College 9.7%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Roanoke College 1200
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Roanoke College 27
  • VCU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Roanoke College 3.56
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Roanoke College A-
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Roanoke College Difficult
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Roanoke College
  • VCU
  • SAT range
  • Roanoke College 1090-1300
  • VCU 1010-1270
  • ACT range
  • Roanoke College 24-31
  • VCU 22-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Roanoke College Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Roanoke College
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Roanoke College $38,068
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Roanoke College $38,068
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & board
  • Roanoke College $15,366
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average net price
  • Roanoke College $26,044
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average grant aid
  • Roanoke College $28,188
  • VCU $14,186
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Roanoke College 100%
  • VCU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Roanoke College 69%
  • VCU 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Roanoke College $51,200
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Roanoke College 75%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Roanoke College $27,000
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Roanoke College $279
  • VCU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Roanoke College 11:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Roanoke College
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Location
  • Roanoke College Salem, VA
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • Roanoke College Midsize Suburban
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Roanoke College 1,804
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • Roanoke College Private 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Roanoke College #369
  • VCU #465

Comparable Facts

Compare Roanoke College in Salem, VA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,804 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Roanoke College is located in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Roanoke College 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Roanoke College are 15.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,366 vs. $18,254).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at VCU than at Roanoke College (about $2,041 more per year; $40,109 vs. $38,068).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 98.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($28,188 vs. $14,186).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Roanoke College than at VCU (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Roanoke College and VCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at VCU average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Roanoke College (3.56).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Roanoke College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation (75% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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