Roanoke College
Roanoke College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Roanoke College at a Glance
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.
1842
184 years old
$176M
$175.5 million (2024)
1,759
164
80 acres
Identity
Is Roanoke College Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Roanoke College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,047 — 8% above average — while paying $24,503/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Roanoke College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Roanoke College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in VA
Ranked #57 of 157 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #57 | Roanoke College | 39 | $24,503 | $58,047 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Roanoke College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in VA.
Best Programs at Roanoke College
The highest-earning program at Roanoke College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $36,600/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Roanoke College earns $36,600, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $36,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,503/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,600 | $36,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Salem, VA
- Student Body
- 1,767 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,503
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,047
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000