Roanoke College

What is the history of Roanoke College?

Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1842 as the Virginia Institute. It began in the Augusta County area, moved to Salem in 1847, and adopted the Roanoke College name in 1853. Its history is tied to Lutheran higher education, although students do not have to be Lutheran to attend.

The move to Salem established the college in the Roanoke Valley, where it remains today. Roanoke has since developed from a small nineteenth-century institution into a college offering majors across the humanities, sciences, social sciences, arts, and professional fields. Its longstanding emphasis on undergraduate education remains central to its identity.

What are the faculties and departments at Roanoke College?

Roanoke College organizes its teaching around liberal arts disciplines and career-oriented programs rather than a large system of separate professional colleges. Students can study subjects such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, English, history, psychology, political science, business, education, and the visual and performing arts.

The curriculum gives students room to combine a major with general education coursework, electives, or another area of study. Prospective students should check the current academic catalog for the exact major, minor, degree requirements, and course sequence they want: a subject appearing in a program directory does not necessarily mean every specialized course is offered every semester. Students considering teaching or another licensed profession should also confirm that their intended pathway meets the requirements of the state where they hope to practice.

What is the location of Roanoke College?

Roanoke College is in Salem, Virginia, an independent city in the Roanoke Valley. The campus is close to the city of Roanoke, giving students access to regional employers, health care facilities, cultural venues, and outdoor recreation without placing the college in a large metropolitan center.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport serves the area. Students traveling without a car should plan around regional transportation and the distance between campus, internship sites, and the airport. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, but parking rules and permit charges should be checked separately from admission or housing arrangements.

What is the mission and vision of Roanoke College?

Roanoke College describes its educational purpose in terms of liberal arts learning, intellectual inquiry, and preparation for responsible participation in communities and careers. Its Lutheran heritage is part of the institution's history and stated values, rather than an indication that applicants must belong to a particular faith.

In practice, students should evaluate that mission through the requirements of their intended program: the courses they must take outside their major, opportunities for research or experiential learning, and the academic advising available to them. A mission statement explains what a college aims to do; it is not, by itself, evidence of any particular student outcome.