Roanoke College vs Washington and Lee
Roanoke College and Washington and Lee University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Roanoke College, a private liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia, boasts a higher acceptance rate (73%) compared to Washington and Lee's selective admissions (20%). Roanoke's student body is more diverse, with a larger percentage of female students and a higher proportion of Pell Grant recipients. In contrast, Washington and Lee, located in Lexington, Virginia, is a private liberal arts and sciences university with a predominantly male student body and a lower percentage of Pell Grant recipients. While both institutions offer a range of undergraduate programs, Roanoke College is known for its strengths in the social sciences and nursing, while Washington and Lee excels in business, law, and engineering. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Roanoke College |
![]() Washington and Lee University |
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Overview |
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Location | Salem, Virginia | Lexington, Virginia |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Distant |
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% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.4% | 18.8% |
Application fees | $30 | $60 |
SAT range | 1080 - 1230 | 1410 - 1530 |
ACT range | 22 - 27 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 10.0% | 32.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,953 | 6,621 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,981 | 1,248 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 465 | 484 |
Yield rate | 11.7% | 38.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,888 | $80,300 |
Average net price | $27,758 | $26,063 |
Tuition | $46,510 | $58,260 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,960
Meal plan:
$8,030
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Room/dormitory:
$8,600
Meal plan:
$7,670
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $35,752 |
56.0%
Average amount $51,537 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
68.0%
Average amount $5,678 |
13.0%
Average amount $4,878 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $17,112 |
6.0%
Average amount $25,474 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,863
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
1,857
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
Graduate students | N/A |
381
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 47.6% | 81.2% |
International students | 2.2% | 5.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,540 | 1,520 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Maryland North Carolina Pennsylvania New York | Virginia North Carolina Texas New York Georgia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.6% | 93.6% |
Dropout rate | 6.9% | 6.2% |
Transferred out | 23.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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