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Hollins University

Hollins University

Roanoke, VA · Suburb · 665 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$20,896
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
67%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$40,075
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
68%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Roanoke, Virginia, Hollins University is a distinguished historically women's institution celebrated for its empowering student experience and legendary literary heritage. The university is nationally renowned for its premier creative writing and English departments—which have produced numerous Pulitzer Prize-winning authors—as well as strong programs in the natural sciences, business, and fine arts. Campus culture is deeply collaborative and rich with tradition, most notably Tinker Day, a surprise annual holiday where classes are canceled so students and faculty can climb nearby Tinker Mountain in costumes. What truly sets Hollins apart is its signature January Term (J-Term), which guarantees undergraduate students high-impact, global internship and study-abroad opportunities that pave the way for immediate career success.

Wikipedia:Hollins University is a private liberal arts university in Hollins, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1842 as Valley Union Seminary in the historical settlement of Botetourt Springs, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education for women in the US.

Location
Roanoke, VA, 24020 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
120 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$43,560
Housing & food (on campus)$15,800
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$62,170
Average net price$20,896
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$43,560
Housing & food (on campus)$15,800
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$62,170
Average net price$20,896
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.hollins.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Hollins University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$44,550
Fees$1,080
Housing$16,540
Total published by the school$62,170
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,511
$30–48k
$19,304
$48–75k
$20,395
$75–110k
$20,721
$110k+
$26,826
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$32,706
Share of first-years who get one9%
Source: Hollins University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
67%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
57%
Back for yr 2
74%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
62% graduated · 37% left or unknown · none transferred or still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$29,863
10 yrs after entry$40,075
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$5.8k–$27k
90th percentile$35,500
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
68%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1230
R 610–700 · M 540–640
SAT middle 50%: 1150–1340
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Hollins University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Hollins University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Hollins University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 0%Women 100%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
8 : 1
Pell grant
39%
First-gen
26%
Family income
$48,958
Independent
12%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
60%
Hispanic
12%
Black
16%
Asian
2%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
6%
AI/AN
1%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$29,863
After 10 yrs
$40,075
English Language and Literature, General20
Psychology, General20
Biology, General15
Economics14
Natural Resources Conservation and Research12
Mathematics11
Fine and Studio Arts11
History9
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics8
Chemistry8
International Relations and National Security Studies8
Political Science and Government8
Film/Video and Photographic Arts8
Communication and Media Studies6
Public Health6
Business/Commerce, General6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$304M
Full-time faculty
62%
Faculty salary
$7,276/mo
Teaching spend
$19,506
per student
Federal loans
56%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Hollins University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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