Awards & Recognition

Top of our class

Roanoke has always been known as an excellent school, but recent changes across the campus—in our curriculum, facilities, student life programs and career services—have brought us increased recognition from the higher education community. U.S. News & World Report ranks us fourth among up-and-coming national liberal arts colleges. The Princeton Review said our campus was among the 20 most beautiful in the United States. The Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine put us in the top 10% of best colleges in the nation.

Roanoke is consistently ranked among the top 10% of colleges in the nation. 

A six-element table. On the top left, a photo of students walking with a purple overlay. The number 4 sits in a circle and text reads "Ranked #4 on the list of 'Up-and-coming national liberal arts colleges' by U.S. News and World Report." On the top right, a photo of students walking with a blue overlay. Text reads "BEST 382 COLLEGES. The Princeton Review 2018." On the middle left, a photo of an RC medal with a red overlay. The logo for Phi Beta Kappa is in bold, and text reads "Only 286 institutions have the academic credentials to house this prestigious national honor society." On the middle right, a photo of a RC Energy vehicle with a green overlay. There is the recycling icon, and text that reads "353 green colleges. The Princeton Review, 2015." On the bottom left, a photo of students working and a student walking with a maroon overlay. Text reads "AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGES. Forbes Magazine." On the bottom right, a photo of students sitting on the quad in front of a building with an orange overlay. Text reads "18. Most beautiful campus. The Princeton Review, 2012."

Top Fulbright producing institution

Roanoke College is one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright U.S. students for 2017-18 and is the only school on the list for bachelor's degree institutions in Virginia. Roanoke has had at least one Fulbright student in each of the past five years, with a record six students for 2017-18 and another six finalists for 2018-19. 

Watch Video Student at the top of a mountain
Roanoke students compete at the national and international levels.

1 of 290 in the country

PBKWe're proud of our academic programs and the achievement of our students. In 2004 we were awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter—one of only 290 schools in the country to qualify based on academic rigor. Since its founding, more than 250 Roanoke students have been inducted into this prestigious society.