Roanoke College

Roanoke College is an independent, co-educational, 4-year liberal arts college. Founded in 1842, we are the second-oldest Lutheran-related college in America. We seek and welcome students of all races, creeds, nationalities and ethnic origins.

With more than four out of five Roanoke students receiving part of Roanoke's $40 million in available grants and scholarships, the cost of a year at Roanoke is more affordable than you'd think.

We take passion seriously. Passion shapes meaningful lives. It leads to positive change. It influences others. If you come here, we'll help you find yours.

Through a whole-person approach to education you'll explore the world from intellectual, physical, creative, social and moral perspectives. You'll find what you love, and join a community of scholars who share your interest. You'll deepen your connection in research and intensive study. Through real world experiences, you'll apply your knowledge to current issues, and develop practical skills that will help you in your career.

To us, the goal of a good education is more than a degree, it's completing the puzzle that is you. At Roanoke, we help you put the pieces together to understand who you are and how you relate to the world. From day one, you and your advisor will begin to create your own personal plan. In the courses you select, you'll challenge assumptions, broaden your perspective, and gain confidence in your ability to make smart decisions for yourself.

You'll find your passion, and through experiences inside and outside the classroom, build the skills and determination to live what you love.

We know students learn more in courses focused on topics they actually care about. In our core curriculum, you'll explore fundamental concepts and apply them to current issues through subjects that interest you. These include "Computing and the Mind," "A Study of American Film," "First Contact: Native Americans and Europeans," "Tropical Marine Biology" and "Digital Media: Manipulation for Good and Bad."

While you explore interesting core curriculum topics, you'll build practical skills in writing, speaking, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning and collaboration that employers say they look for in new hires. Our core curriculum is unique among colleges in the country. It is one of the reasons that U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the top five up-and-coming liberal arts colleges in America.

Today, everything is global. A disease in West Africa threatens lives in Texas. A song posted in Rio goes viral and becomes a world hit. A product invented in Virginia is manufactured in Vietnam, then sold in stores from Portland to Pakistan to Paraguay.

Whatever you wear, drive or listen to is linked to the global economy. If you've never left home, you're still connected in a thousand ways to the larger world. At Roanoke, we want you to see and be part of that world. It will open your mind, broaden your perspectives, and get you ready for a future full of amazing global opportunities.

On campus you'll meet students and professors from over 40 countries, be able to choose from more than 100 internationally themed classes, and attend a variety of global events. If you want to travel and study abroad, you'll have opportunities through a number of college-led Intensive Learning Term (May Term) programs, as well as semester and year-long international exchanges with more than 50 schools around the world.

We can arrange semester and year-long study abroad in over 50 countries through Roanoke-led, affiliate or exchange programs.

At Roanoke, we believe some of your best learning opportunities occur outside the classroom. It begins your first of week freshman year, where we'll encourage you to meet and make friends with people from many different backgrounds and learn how to work effectively through life's issues together.

From the start, we'll encourage you to join many different clubs and organizations, where you'll have a chance to take leadership roles, learning to motivate teams, organize events, and achieve your goals. During your four years here you'll find many exciting things to do that will open your mind to new possibilities, and might even lead you to the passion you've been seeking.

If you like what you see and believe that you'd be a good fit at Roanoke, we are happy to set up a time for you to come and visit. When you're ready to apply, we want you to know that we treat each application personally, and we will spend time carefully reviewing your application. We are available to answer questions by text, phone or email, whichever works best for you.

Roanoke College was founded in 1842 as the Virginia Institute, a preparatory school for boys near Mt. Tabor Church, about eight miles from Staunton, Virginia. The dreamchild of two Lutheran pastors, David F. Bittle and Christopher C. Baughman, the school attracted local boys to its classes to prepare them for Gettysburg College and, hopefully, its Seminary. In 1845, the state incorporated the school as the Virginia Collegiate Institute. Bittle left the school to return to full-time ministry in Maryland. Baughman, seeking a better location and a greater population from which to recruit students, moved the Institute to its permanent home in Salem, Virginia, in 1847. He served the school as principal until 1853, when the Virginia Legislature granted the Institute its collegiate charter under the name Roanoke College and David Bittle returned to accept the presidency.