Salem is a small city just west of Roanoke in Virginia's Roanoke Valley, and Roanoke College has been there since 1847, five years after its founding. It's a private liberal arts college with Lutheran roots and about 2,000 students, almost all undergraduates. Students combine a general education curriculum with majors such as business, biology, psychology and computer science. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail are within easy reach.
Salem, Virginia, United States
Official website: roanoke.edu
Private liberal arts college, Lutheran heritage
1842
Salem, Roanoke Valley
Phi Beta Kappa chapter
$48,000 – $53,000
International students, tuition before merit aid
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on roanoke.edu before you apply.
BA Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
BS Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
BA Psychology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
BA Economics
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
Small classes and close contact with professors.
A historic campus in a small Virginia city.
Easy access to Blue Ridge hiking and the Appalachian Trail.
Graduates work in business, healthcare and education across Virginia.
Many go on to graduate, medical or law school.
F-1 graduates can apply for OPT after their degree.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Limited
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus sits in a quiet part of Salem, a short walk from Main Street. The Salem Red Sox minor league ballpark is nearby, and Roanoke is ten minutes away by car.
The Roanoke Valley is ringed by mountains, and McAfee Knob is the best-known hike. Living costs are low, but public transport is limited.
Form I-20 issued by Roanoke College
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Roanoke has Early Action and Early Decision deadlines in the autumn and accepts regular applications on a rolling basis into spring. International students should apply by early spring to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
New students start in late August. January entry is possible for some students.
International students come in on an F-1 visa. The I-20 comes from Roanoke College after you confirm your place and show you can cover a year of costs; you then pay the SEVIS fee, fill in the DS-160 and book your consulate interview.
Business, biology, psychology, computer science and economics are popular. Admission looks at secondary school grades and essays, with tests optional, plus IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 79 for non-native English speakers.
Roanoke gives merit scholarships to most international students, which brings the listed tuition down a lot. Awards are decided at admission.
