Colleges in Roanoke, Virginia
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Roanoke, Virginia (3 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $20,607 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 59.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 71% of applicants.
The median net price in Roanoke runs about $1,541 higher than the Virginia statewide median of $19,066.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Roanoke, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$20,607
After aid
Median grad rate
59.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
71%
Median enrollment
490
Undergrad
All colleges in Roanoke
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VA | VA | Public, 2-year | $4,966 | 40.1% | Not available | 3,898 | Partial | |
| Hollins University Roanoke, VA | VA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $20,896 | 64.6% | 68% | 665 | Complete | |
| Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke Roanoke, VA | VA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $26,945 | Not available | Not available | 315 | Partial | |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke Roanoke, VA | VA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $20,318 | 59.4% | Not available | 169 | Partial | |
| ECPI University - Roanoke Roanoke, VA | VA | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | 75% | Not available | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (3)
Private for-profit colleges in Roanoke operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Galen Health Institutes-RoanokeNet price: $26,945Grad: Not available
- Paul Mitchell the School-RoanokeNet price: $20,318Grad: 59.4%
- ECPI University - RoanokeNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Roanoke are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Hollins UniversityNet price: $20,896Grad: 64.6%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Roanoke are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Virginia Western Community CollegeNet price: $4,966Grad: 40.1%
Top programs in Roanoke
Most-completed programs across Roanoke colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions29.9% of degrees
- Liberal arts14.9% of degrees
- Business10.7% of degrees
- Engineering tech5.2% of degrees
- Social sciences4.8% of degrees
- Personal services4.5% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary3.7% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts3.6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Roanoke
Q.How many colleges are in Roanoke, Virginia?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Roanoke, Virginia that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 3 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Roanoke?
By undergraduate enrollment, Virginia Western Community College is the largest institution in Roanoke with roughly 3,898 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Roanoke?
Based on average net price after aid, Virginia Western Community College is the most affordable institution in Roanoke at $4,966 per year.
Q.Which Roanoke college has the highest graduation rate?
Hollins University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Roanoke institutions at 64.6%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Roanoke?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Roanoke is $20,607 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Roanoke?
Across Roanoke colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Liberal arts, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Roanoke?
Yes — Roanoke includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Virginia
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Roanoke that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.