At $22,263/yr net price, Hollins University graduates earn $40,075/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,075/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,263 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $89,052 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,075/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,075/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,579/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,974/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,291/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,733/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,329/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dance. | Master | $45,529 | |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $28,960 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,739 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
69.7% of students at Hollins University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Hollins University leaves you with a weak financial return. At a $22,263 net price, the median graduate earns just over $40,000 ten years out, and the three largest bachelor's programs report early-career earnings that don't clear $27,000 a year. That's a problem, because $27,000 is also the median debt you leave with. Your loan balance roughly matches a full year of starting pay in psychology, English, or biology.
The program picture is uniformly low, not mixed. Psychology and English graduates start near $26,000, and biology comes in even lower around $20,000. None of the tracked majors here point to strong early pay, and the Roanoke job market doesn't lift these liberal-arts fields into high salaries. If you want a degree that pays off quickly, Hollins' listed programs won't do it.
The main risk is carrying $27,000 in debt against a starting salary that can't comfortably service it. A 69.70% grad rate and 74.29% retention mean a real share of students leave, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome here.
Net price falls with income, but not steeply. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $16,600. over $110,000, closer to $26,300. Even the discounted bottom-tier price is high relative to what these degrees earn afterward, so lower-income families take on the most risk per dollar returned.
Hollins fits you if you value the specific experience of a small women's college and have family resources to cover cost without heavy borrowing. If you're paying largely through loans and judging the school on earnings, look elsewhere,the numbers here don't justify the debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hollins University worth the cost compared to other schools?
Hollins graduates earn $40,075 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $22,263 annually and typical debt of $27,000, the financial return is modest unless you're pursuing dance, which pays significantly better at $45,529.
What programs at Hollins University have the best job prospects?
Dance is Hollins' strongest program financially, with graduates earning $45,529 after 10 years. Most other popular programs like English ($26,353), Psychology ($26,739), and Biology ($20,140) produce below-average earnings that may not justify the investment.
How much debt do Hollins University graduates typically have?
Hollins graduates typically carry $27,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with median earnings of $40,075 after 10 years, loan payments could still strain budgets for graduates in lower-paying fields like English or Biology.
Does Hollins University provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Hollins reduces costs to a net price of $22,263 per year through financial aid, making it more affordable than many private colleges. The 69.7% graduation rate suggests most students can complete their degrees, though earnings outcomes vary significantly by major.