Rollins College

Private · Selective · FL

Photo: Rizka (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationFL · South

SettingSuburban

Undergrads2,631

Student:faculty12:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate68.7%

6-yr grad rate75%

Drop-out rate14.8%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$61k

Out-of-state tuition$61k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity42.7%

Gender diversity61.1%

International7.9%

Identity—

Overview

Rollins College is a private liberal arts college on a lakeside campus in Winter Park, Florida, just outside Orlando, chartered in 1885 and one of the oldest colleges in the state. Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, palm-lined walkways, and a Lake Virginia waterfront give the campus a distinctly different feel from Florida's large public universities, and small, discussion-based classes define its academic character.

Academics

Business and international relations are especially popular undergraduate tracks, and the college's reputation is reinforced by its Crummer Graduate School of Business next door, even though Crummer itself serves graduate students. The discussion-heavy, small-class format runs across the curriculum generally rather than being confined to seminars, and faculty accessibility — knowing professors personally, getting real feedback on writing — is emphasized as a deliberate selling point against larger universities. Environmental studies also benefits from the college's lakefront and Florida setting, giving science students field opportunities that a landlocked campus couldn't offer.

Campus & student life

The Winter Park setting is affluent and scenic, with the campus fronting Lake Virginia where sailing and crew both have a real presence. Fox Day is the college's best-known tradition: an unannounced spring day when the bell tower rings, classes are canceled campus-wide, and students gather for an all-day outdoor celebration — nobody but the president knows the date in advance. Greek life and Division II athletics both have a genuine presence without dominating the small-college social scene.

Getting in

Rollins emphasizes holistic review with real attention to essays and fit, positioning itself as a small, personalized alternative to the large Florida public universities most applicants are also considering. Interviews and demonstrated interest can carry real weight in admissions decisions, more so than at peer schools that rely more heavily on numbers.

After graduation

Graduates move into business, finance, and communications roles across Florida and nationally, helped by the Crummer name recognition and a close-knit regional alumni network centered on Orlando and central Florida. Many also go on to law school or graduate business programs.

Worth knowing

Fred (Mister) Rogers remains the college's best-known alumnus and a point of institutional pride. Fox Day is a genuine, beloved tradition rather than a marketing line, and the small, close campus culture is a deliberate, intentional contrast to the large public university options nearby in Florida.

rollins.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate47.5%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1160–1370 · ACT 25–30

Test policyoptional

Rec letters1

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early actionNov 15

Early decisionNov 15

Regular decisionFeb 1

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Common App or Own application.

Early decision IIJan 5

Early Decision I and II are binding commitments; Early Action is non-binding and shares the same November 15 deadline as Early Decision I.

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗