Students at Hollins University benefit from affordable access to a distinctive liberal arts education, with net prices that are reasonable for a private college and strong loan repayment outcomes.
The university's small size and personal attention create an educational environment that many families value, even as earnings outcomes remain modest compared with larger research institutions.
Hollins University is a small private liberal arts college in Virginia that serves students seeking an intimate educational experience. With just over 800 students, Hollins offers the personal attention and tight-knit community that many families value in a liberal arts setting. About 33% of students receive Pell Grants and 26% are first-generation college students, reflecting moderate socioeconomic diversity for a private institution.
The university's outcomes reflect the typical trade-offs of small liberal arts colleges. Graduates earn a median of $40,075 ten years after enrollment, which places Hollins in the bottom 15% nationally for long-term earnings among four-year institutions. Net prices are moderate for a private college, with low-income students paying about $16,579 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $24,291.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Hollins provides access to students from various backgrounds but faces challenges in delivering strong economic mobility outcomes. The university's strength lies in its educational model and community rather than in maximizing post-graduation earnings, making it a fit for students who prioritize the liberal arts experience over financial returns.
Hollins University's academic strength centers on liberal arts and humanities fields, with English Language and Literature representing the institution's largest program by economic impact. The English program graduates about 32 students annually who earn a median of $26,353 ten years after graduation, reflecting typical outcomes for humanities majors who often pursue careers in education, writing, communications, or nonprofit work.
The university's program portfolio reflects its mission as a liberal arts institution focused on developing critical thinking, communication skills, and intellectual curiosity rather than maximizing immediate earning potential. Students choosing Hollins typically prioritize the educational experience, personal development opportunities, and close faculty relationships that characterize small liberal arts colleges.
Families should understand that Hollins' academic model emphasizes exploration and personal growth over career-focused training in high-earning fields. While this approach provides valuable intellectual development and often leads to meaningful career paths, it typically results in more modest starting salaries and slower earnings growth compared with institutions that emphasize STEM, business, or other professionally-oriented programs.
Graduates of Hollins University face modest long-term earnings compared with other four-year institutions. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $40,075, placing the university in the bottom 15% nationally for graduate earnings. The earnings trajectory shows graduates earning less than what similar students achieve at other institutions, with a negative value-added effect of about $19,263 compared with expected outcomes.
The university's program portfolio centers heavily on liberal arts fields, with English Language and Literature being the standout program by total economic impact. English graduates, who represent the largest cohort with 32 students, earn a median of $26,353 ten years out. This reflects the broader pattern at Hollins, where humanities and liberal arts programs dominate the academic offerings but typically lead to careers with more modest starting salaries and slower earnings growth compared with STEM or business fields.
For students choosing Hollins, the financial return represents a trade-off for the educational experience and personal development opportunities that come with a small, close-knit liberal arts environment. The university's outcomes align with what families should expect from institutions that prioritize academic exploration and personal growth over career-focused training in high-earning fields.
Affordability at Hollins University is moderate for a private liberal arts college, though costs remain substantial for most families. Low-income students pay about $16,579 per year after aid, while middle-income families see annual costs around $24,291, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,329. These net prices place Hollins around the 37th percentile nationally, meaning it's more affordable than many private institutions but still represents a significant financial commitment.
Debt levels reflect the higher costs typical of private education. Graduates leave with a median of $27,000 in federal student loan debt, and families often supplement with Parent PLUS loans averaging $18,530. The combination means total family borrowing frequently exceeds $45,000, which becomes challenging to service given the modest post-graduation earnings. With median earnings of $40,075 ten years out, graduates may find standard loan repayment tight, though the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting most borrowers eventually manage their obligations.
Families considering Hollins should carefully weigh the total cost against expected earnings outcomes. While the university provides substantial financial aid that brings costs down from the full sticker price, the combination of moderate debt levels and modest earnings creates a financial profile that requires careful planning and realistic expectations about post-graduation budgets.
Hollins University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
