Campus Vibe
Known for psychology — close-knit campus
Hollins University is a private institution in Roanoke with particular strength in psychology and biology. With an average SAT of 1256, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A small campus of 673 undergraduates with a 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.
70% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $40,075 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,263.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Hollins University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1256
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
41.1%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$22,925
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
4
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (38)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
74%
- •74% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Search Begins
History & Fun Facts
- •The area developed as a resort which operated from 1820 to 1841.
- •1842–1855: Valley Union Seminary and Charles Lewis Cocke A view of the Cocke Building on the front quad from East.
- •The institution of higher learning that would become Hollins was first established in 1842 by the Reverend Joshua Bradley, a Baptist minister, as the coeducational Valley Union Seminary.
- •Bradley left in 1845 for Missouri, and in 1846, the seminary's trustees hired a 25-year-old math instructor from Richmond named Charles Lewis Cocke to direct the institution.
- •The same year, Cocke established the first school for enslaved people in the Roanoke area; many students at the school worked at the seminary.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average