Students at Rollins College achieve strong long-term earnings that place the institution in the top 30% nationally for graduate financial outcomes.
The college delivers solid returns on investment through its combination of academic quality, career services, and alumni network connections.
Rollins College delivers strong long-term financial outcomes within a selective, private liberal arts setting in Winter Park, Florida. While the college serves a more affluent student population—with only 22% receiving Pell Grants—graduates achieve median earnings of $58,295 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 70th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance reflects both the quality of Rollins' academic programs and the career advantages that come with its alumni network and employer connections.
The college's "Selective Achievers" mobility profile captures its approach: strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, though with more limited access for low-income families. Net prices range from about $25,481 for low-income students to $41,399 for higher-income families, reflecting the premium associated with private education but also substantial financial aid for those who qualify.
As a medium-sized private college with a 77% six-year graduation rate, Rollins combines the personalized attention of a smaller institution with the resources and connections needed to support students into competitive career paths. For families who can manage the higher costs, Rollins offers a pathway to solid earnings and professional networks that continue to pay dividends over time.
Rollins College's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts foundation with particular strength in business and economics fields that connect directly to career opportunities. International Business stands out as one of the college's largest programs, graduating 52 students annually with early-career earnings around $43,798, reflecting the program's focus on global business skills and the career opportunities available in Florida's international business sector.
Applied Economics, though smaller with 27 graduates, demonstrates strong earning potential at about $42,044 in early career, suggesting that the program successfully prepares students for analytical roles in business, government, and consulting. The college's emphasis on experiential learning, internships, and career development helps students in these programs translate their academic preparation into competitive job market positioning.
What distinguishes Rollins' approach is the integration of liberal arts breadth with professional preparation. The college's location in Winter Park provides access to internship and career opportunities throughout Central Florida, while its alumni network extends nationally. This combination of academic rigor, practical experience, and network connections helps explain why graduates across programs achieve solid long-term earnings that justify the investment in private education.
Rollins College graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the value of a private liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $58,295, placing the college in the 70th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. While this performance is strong in absolute terms, it represents outcomes that are roughly in line with expectations given the college's selectivity and student profile, rather than dramatically exceeding them.
The college's program mix contributes to these outcomes through a combination of business, liberal arts, and professional programs. International Business is one of Rollins' largest programs, graduating 52 students annually with median early-career earnings around $43,798. Applied Economics, though smaller with 27 graduates, shows strong earning potential at about $42,044 in early career. The college's business and economics programs, combined with its strong alumni network in Florida and beyond, help graduates access competitive entry-level positions that support steady career progression.
Rollins' location in Winter Park, near Orlando, provides access to Florida's growing business and tourism sectors while maintaining the cost-of-living advantages of the region. The college's emphasis on experiential learning, internships, and career services helps students translate their liberal arts education into practical career outcomes, though the financial returns reflect the typical trajectory for selective private colleges rather than exceptional outperformance.
Affordability at Rollins College varies significantly by family income, reflecting the institution's private college pricing structure. Low-income students pay about $25,481 annually after aid, which represents substantial financial support but still requires significant resources. Middle-income families face net prices around $29,454, while higher-income families pay approximately $41,399 per year, positioning Rollins in the bottom 10% nationally for affordability.
Debt levels reflect these higher costs, with typical graduates carrying about $25,500 in federal student loan debt. Parent PLUS borrowing is more substantial, averaging $34,022, as families often supplement student aid packages with additional borrowing to cover the full cost of attendance. The combination of student and parent debt means that families typically invest significantly more in a Rollins education compared to public alternatives, though the college's financial aid office works to make attendance feasible for students from a range of economic backgrounds.
What makes this investment sustainable for many families is the combination of Rollins' strong graduation rates—77% complete degrees within six years—and the career outcomes that follow. The college's career services, alumni network, and employer relationships help ensure that graduates can manage their debt obligations while building toward long-term financial stability.
Rollins College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
