Hollins University
- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,075 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,896 D+
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,112,843.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $14.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Hollins University Matters
Hollins University is a private liberal arts college in Roanoke, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 665
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, English & Literature, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Hollins University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 68% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1150–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,896 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,075 ten years after enrolling — 2% below the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 73% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 665 students, Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, is an intimate setting that caters to those who thrive in smaller academic environments. This school particularly stands out for its strong programs in Visual & Performing Arts, English & Literature, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Business & Marketing. For students who appreciate a close-knit community and personalized attention from faculty, Hollins could be a solid fit.
Looking at life beyond graduation, recent data shows that alumni earn an average of $40,075 ten years after completing their studies. This figure provides a benchmark for understanding the potential return on investment for students. The financial landscape is also shaped by affordability; with a net price of $20,896 after aid, many students can find a manageable path to a degree without becoming overwhelmed by debt. Even though 39% of students receive Pell Grants, this indicates a commitment to supporting those who might need financial assistance.
When considering the practical bottom line, the median debt sits at $27,000, which is important to keep in mind for future financial planning. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a liberal arts education within a supportive community. As we weigh these factors, Hollins offers a compelling option for those who want to engage deeply in their studies and prepare for meaningful careers.
Rankings
- #21 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
- #24 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
- #25 Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia
- #25 Best Master's Programs in Virginia
- #25 Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia
- #26 Best Online Colleges in Virginia
- #26 Best Online Education Programs in Virginia
- #28 Best Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Hollins University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hollins University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Roanoke, Virginia, Hollins University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,230. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- SAT Average
- 1230
- SAT Range
- 1150–1340
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,276
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 3,275
- Admitted
- 2,371
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Hollins University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 12% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 12%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 14%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 5%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 83.8%
- vs 67.5% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 80 Early Decision applicants, 67 were admitted — a 83.8% admit rate, roughly 1.2× the 67.5% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 30% of the entering class (67 of 222 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 19% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hollins University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hollins University is $43,560, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,896. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,511 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $43,560
- Out-of-State
- $43,560
- Avg Net Price
- $20,896
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 56%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,511
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,304
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,395
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,826
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Hollins University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Hollins University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hollins University report median earnings of $40,075, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,863
- 8 Years
- $37,135
- 10 Years
- $40,075
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.67x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (96)
- 59%
- 100% (96)
- 59%
- 100% (96)
- 59%
- 100% (96)
- 59%
How Hollins Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Hollins University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Hollins University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,896/year ($83,584 total). Graduates earn $40,075 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,196,427 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,112,843 (14.3× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,584
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,196,427
- Net Return
- $1,112,843
- ROI Multiple
- 14.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,896
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Hollins University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hollins University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.06%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $110,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.06%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $150,403
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,389,968
- Investment Income
- $-19,889,267
Top Programs
The fields Hollins University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 18% $54,097 early-career
- English & Literature 14% $31,312 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $23,930 early-career
- Psychology 11% $31,771 early-career
- Social Sciences 11%
- Health Professions 4%
- Communications 3%
- Mathematics & Statistics 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Hollins University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Hollins University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Roanoke, Virginia, Hollins University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,230. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Hollins University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Hollins University is $43,560, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,896. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,511 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Hollins University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Hollins University report median earnings of $40,075, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Hollins University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Hollins University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.06%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $110,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Hollins University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hollins University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Hollins University offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Hollins University offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 84%, about 1.2 times the overall 67% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 30% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Hollins University is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Hollins University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 19% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Hollins University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Hollins University?
About 12% of admitted students choose to enroll at Hollins University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Hollins University.
- Lyon CollegeBatesville, AR · Close peer51% grad $44,232 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Florida CollegeTemple Terrace, FL · Close peer53% grad $43,445 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Johnson UniversityKnoxville, TN · Close peer59% grad $40,596 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological SeminaryAnkeny, IA · Close peer64% grad $40,650 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- College of the AtlanticBar Harbor, ME · Close peer69% grad $40,264 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ozark Christian CollegeJoplin, MO · Close peer66% grad $41,297 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Hollins University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Hollins University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 15% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note