Education
IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW
The Roanoke Region's work force is strong in experience and education. Most members of the talent pool have at least some college education and 31 percent hold bachelor's or graduate degrees.
Education Attainment, Age 25+
High School Diploma/GED 83.3% Some College, no degree 51.0% Bachelor's Degree 23.2% Graduate or professional degree 7.6%
Source: US Census American Community Survey, 2007.
HIGHER EDUCATION CURRENT STUDENT PROFILE
There are 20 colleges and universities within a 60-minute radius of the Roanoke Region.
Total Enrollment by Program Level
|
|
Undergrad | Graduate | Professional | Total |
| All Schools | 88,239 | 19,155 | 2,128 | 109,522 |
Public Four Year Institutions
|
School |
Undergrad | Graduate | Professional | Total |
| Virginia Tech | 23,567 | 6,813 | 359 | 30,739 |
| Radford University | 8,155 | 1,002 | 0 | 9,157 |
| Virginia Military Institute | 1,428 | 0 | 0 | 1,428 |
| Total | 33,150 | 7,815 | 359 | 41,324 |
Private Four Year Institutions
| School | Undergrad | Graduate | Professional | Total |
| Ferrum College | 1,385 | 0 | 0 | 1,385 |
| Hollins Univeristy | 798 | 260 | 0 | 1,058 |
| Jefferson College | 905 | 88 | 0 | 995 |
| Liberty University | 21,646 | 10,577 | 1,381 | 33,604 |
| Lynchburg College | 2,183 | 389 | 0 | 2,572 |
| Randolph College | 563 | 6 | 0 | 569 |
| Roanoke College | 2,021 | 0 | 0 | 2,021 |
| Southern Virginia University* | 698 | 0 | 0 | 698 |
| Sweet Briar College* | 787 | 15 | 0 | 802 |
| Washington & Lee University | 1,693 | 5 | 388 | 2,086 |
| Total | 32,679 | 11,340 | 1,769 | 45,790 |
Two Year Community Colleges
| School | Total |
| Central Virginia | 5,412 |
| Dabney S. Lancaster | 1,272 |
|
New River Valley |
4,889 |
| Patrick Henry | 3,109 |
| Virginia Western | 8,532 |
| Total | 23,214 |
Source: State Council for Higher Education, Fall 2008 enrollment.
OTHER POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
There are post-secondary education opportunities and national career college campuses in the Roanoke Region, offering certificate and degrees ranging from career studies to masters.
Roanoke Higher Education Center is hailed as a model for 21st Century education. Featuring over 200 programs of study, the Higher Education Center provides job training, undergraduate, and graduate programs from a number of colleges and universities including: Averett University, Bluefield College, James Madison University, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Hampton University, Hollins University, Mary Baldwin College, Nova Southeastern University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Roanoke College, TAP - This Valley Works job training programs, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Western Community College.
Non-Degree Community College offers certificates, career studies, and workforce training programs through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).
Technical and Career Schools in the region offer certificate and degree programs including career studies, associate, bachelor, and masters programs. ECPI Technical School and National College are located here.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Middle and high school students throughout the region participate in advanced studies and honors programs as well as advanced technical programs to develop the skills employers demand.
Public Schools provide students an excellent education preparing them for the future. With 6 public school systems, a wide range of specialized courses train students for careers with programs in computer technology, aerospace, welding, industrial manufacturing, and more. Each public school system also graduates students in advanced studies and honors programs.
Governor's Schools gives motivated high school students the opportunity to participate in an innovative and challenging program of studies in mathematics, science, and technology. Two serve the region: Jackson River Governor's School and Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science and Technology.
Technical Schools train students technical skills needed to successfully enter the workforce after graduation. There are six in the Roanoke Region, maintained by public school systems.
Check out our Primary and secondary education here>>>