Roanoke College vs Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU)

Roanoke College and Virginia Wesleyan University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Virginia, offer distinct educational experiences. Roanoke College, nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its selectivity. Its student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. Virginia Wesleyan University, located in the vibrant city of Virginia Beach, has a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. Its student body is predominantly undergraduate, creating a close-knit community. While Roanoke College excels in liberal arts and sciences, Virginia Wesleyan University shines in business and healthcare programs. Both institutions offer a variety of majors, ensuring students find their academic passions. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
Roanoke College logo

Roanoke College

Virginia Wesleyan University logo

Virginia Wesleyan University

Overview

Location Salem, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia
Campus setting Suburb: Midsize City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester 4-1-4
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 76.0% 66.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Evangelical Methodism

Admission

Acceptance rate 80.4% 86.4%
Application fees $30
SAT range 1080 - 1230 1150 - 1380
ACT range 22 - 27 27 - 31
Students submitting SAT score 35.0% 13.0%
Students submitting ACT score 10.0% 4.0%
Total number of applicants 4,953 2,076
Total number of admissions given out 3,981 1,793
Admitted students who chose to enroll 465 341
Yield rate 11.7% 19.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $66,888 $51,994
Average net price $27,758 $22,584
Tuition $46,510 $36,010
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,960

Meal plan: $8,030
$10,264
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $35,752
99.0%
Average amount $27,737
Students receiving federal student loan 68.0%
Average amount $5,678
62.0%
Average amount $5,299
Students taking out private loans 12.0%
Average amount $17,112
13.0%
Average amount $13,485

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,863
Men 45.8% Women 54.2%
1,241
Men 39.2% Women 60.8%
Graduate students N/A 83
Men 41.0% Women 59.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 47.6% N/A
International students 2.2% 1.4%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Midsize City: Large
Dormitory capacity 1,540 858
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Virginia Maryland North Carolina Pennsylvania New York N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • History
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 12:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 69.6% 46.8%
Dropout rate 6.9% 16.2%
Transferred out 23.3% 36.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,923
  • Year 2: $36,938
  • Year 3: $48,275
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,545
  • Year 2: $33,281
  • Year 3: $40,065
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,241
  • Year 2: $35,600
  • Year 3: N/A
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,514
  • Year 2: $27,476
  • Year 3: N/A
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,889
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,147
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,496
  • Year 2: $28,598
  • Year 3: N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,311
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,873
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $25,658
  • Year 3: N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,664
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: $43,880
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,137
  • Year 2: $35,330
  • Year 3: $42,341
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $28,598
  • Year 3: $38,256
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,903
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $35,121
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $31,851
  • Year 3: $33,071
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,084
  • Year 2: $26,643
  • Year 3: $30,475
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,140
  • Year 3: $30,197
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $19,227
  • Year 3: N/A
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: N/A
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $21,781
  • Year 3: N/A

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