Hollins University
Roanoke, Virginia · Private Nonprofit · 68.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 21/100 · Poor Value
Hollins University scores 21 (Poor Value) -- a result that is hard to soften. Median 6-year earnings of $27,600 are among the lowest on the site, producing a 44.1-year payback period on a $20,896 net price. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.978 means graduates carry nearly a full year's salary in debt. English Language and Literature -- the largest traceable program -- earns an F-grade ROI with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.043. The completion rate of 64.7% is a relative bright spot at this institution, but it doesn't overcome the earnings shortfall. Hollins is a small women's liberal arts college in Roanoke, VA with 665 enrolled students.
The data raises concerns about Hollins University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score21/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period44.1 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Hollins University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $43,560/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $43,560/yr |
| Average net price | $20,896/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $83,584 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,075 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $27,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 44.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 665 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Hollins University is $43,560/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,896/year, or roughly $83,584 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,511/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,826/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $40,075 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.98 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,511 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,304 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,395 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,721 |
| $110,001+ | $26,826 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The $0-30,000 income bracket pays $17,511 per year at Hollins. At four-year cost around $70,000 against $27,600 median 6-year earnings, the payback math is very difficult. Low-income students at Hollins face the most acute financial exposure: the Pell grant partially offsets cost, but the earnings outcome does not match the investment for most career paths at this school.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($30,001-75,000) pay $19,304-$20,395 per year. The income-to-price relationship is relatively flat across income bands, meaning there is limited additional aid as families earn more in this range. At roughly $80,000 for four years, the investment requires students entering above-median earnings fields or graduate school to recoup.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $26,826 per year -- about $107,000 over four years. At $27,600 median 6-year earnings, high-income families should be clear that they are paying for a specific type of small women's college experience and a creative arts network, not earnings optimization.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at Hollins University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $45,633 | C |
| English Language and Literature | $38,172 | F |
| Biology | $27,721 | D |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,014 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Psychology
Psychology (20 graduates) earns $45,633 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.592 (ROI grade C). No year-one data is available. The C grade reflects median debt of $27,000 against earnings that are average for psychology graduates broadly but well below what health sciences or business graduates earn. Students in psychology should plan for graduate education if they are targeting licensed clinical or counseling roles.
Biology
Biology (15 graduates) earns $27,721 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.974 (ROI grade D). The D grade and low year-one figure reflect a mix of graduate school enrollment and low-wage entry roles. Median debt of $27,000 against $27,721 year-one earnings is a near-dollar-for-dollar debt-to-annual-salary ratio -- a serious early-career burden for any student not in graduate school.
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature (20 graduates) earns $25,876 year one and $38,172 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.043 (ROI grade F). This is the program most associated with Hollins's brand identity as a writing school, and the Scorecard data is plainly negative. A debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0 means graduates carry more debt than a full year's salary. Students pursuing creative writing or literary careers at Hollins need external funding -- scholarships, family support, or fellowship income -- to make the financial arc workable.
Fine and Studio Arts
Fine and Studio Arts (11 graduates) earns $27,014 at year four with no year-one or debt data available. The four-year figure of $27k is consistent with arts graduates at peer small liberal arts colleges who enter artist, gallery, or teaching roles. No ROI grade can be calculated from available data, but the earnings figure alone indicates graduates face a significant near-term financial challenge.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 58.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 65.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 60.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 66.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 68.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-640 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 610-700 |
| Enrollment | 665 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 39.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,276 |
Hollins accepts 67.9% of applicants. SAT Math 540-640 and SAT Reading 610-700 reflect the middle 50%; no ACT data is reported. Admission is accessible rather than selective. The Pell grant rate of 39.4% indicates Hollins serves a meaningful share of lower-income students, who face the steepest financial risk given the earnings profile.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Hollins's Scorecard peers include Averett University, Bluefield University, Drury University College of Continuing Professional Studies, Cambridge College, and St. Andrews University. These are mostly small, regionally focused institutions with limited Scorecard data. Hollins's ROI score of 21 is at the low end of its peer group. The comparison is somewhat imperfect: Hollins has a recognized creative writing MFA and brand identity in arts and writing that these peers do not replicate. Within the women's college segment specifically, schools like Sweet Briar and Randolph College face similar earnings profile challenges.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollins University (this school) | 21 | $20,896 | $40,075 |
| Mary Baldwin University | 25 | $12,756 | $44,427 |
| Wesleyan College | 24 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| Midway University | 24 | $29,579 | $44,246 |
| Converse University | 21 | $23,283 | $40,867 |
| Stephens College | 20 | $23,459 | $43,071 |
Who Thrives Here
Hollins fits students who specifically seek a residential women's liberal arts college environment focused on writing, creative arts, and humanities -- and who have a clear-eyed understanding of the financial trade-off. The 67.9% acceptance rate is accessible. Students who plan to pursue graduate school in creative writing, law, or education immediately after graduation may have better long-term outcomes than the Scorecard 6-year earnings suggest. Students expecting to service debt from undergraduate earnings alone should look carefully at the numbers: $27,600 median earnings and $27,000 median debt are a difficult combination.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Hollins University. With a net cost of $20,896 per year and median graduate earnings of only $40,075 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 44.1 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $27,000 against $40,075 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.