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Roanoke College vs Virginia State University

Roanoke College is a private college in Salem, VA. Virginia State University is a public university in Petersburg, VA. Roanoke College admits about 83% of applicants and Virginia State University about 89%, making Roanoke College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,840 a year at Virginia State University after aid, and about $24,503 at Roanoke College. About 67% of students graduate at Roanoke College, compared with 40% at Virginia State University. Ten years after enrolling, Roanoke College alumni earn a median of about $58,047, against $45,543 for Virginia State University.

Roanoke College

Salem, VA · Private

Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Salem, VA
Petersburg, VA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,767
5,074
Acceptance rate
83%
89%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.38–3.88
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1090–1300
840–1070
ACT (middle 50%)
24–31
14–20
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,503
$15,840
Full cost / yr
$54,283
$27,661
In-state tuition
$38,068
$10,043
Out-of-state tuition
$38,068
$22,650
Application fee
$30
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,204
$13,220
$30k - $48k
$17,410
$14,758
$48k - $75k
$18,638
$19,463
$75k - $110k
$15,902
$22,223
Over $110k
$30,087
$25,508
Outcomes
Graduation rate
67%
40%
Freshman retention
76%
69%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,330
$33,630
Median earnings (10 yr)
$58,047
$45,543
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$26,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
24%
72%
First-generation students
21%
34%
International students
3%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Mar 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Roanoke College or Virginia State University harder to get into?
Roanoke College is harder to get into. It admits about 83% of applicants, compared with 89% at Virginia State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Roanoke College or Virginia State University?
Virginia State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,840 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,503 at Roanoke College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Roanoke College and Virginia State University?
Before aid, Virginia State University costs about $27,661 a year and Roanoke College about $54,283. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Roanoke College or Virginia State University?
Virginia State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $13,220 there, against about $15,204 at Roanoke College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Roanoke College or Virginia State University?
Virginia State University is the larger of the two, with about 5,074 undergraduates against 1,767 at Roanoke College.
Does Roanoke College or Virginia State University have a better graduation rate?
Roanoke College has the higher graduation rate, at about 67% against 40% at Virginia State University.
Do graduates of Roanoke College or Virginia State University earn more?
Roanoke College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $58,047 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,543 for Virginia State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Roanoke College and Virginia State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Roanoke College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Virginia State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Roanoke College and Virginia State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1090–1300 at Roanoke College and 840–1070 at Virginia State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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