Forbes ranks Hollins among the top 100 of "America's Best Colleges."

Hollins University is ranked number 95 in Forbes magazine's second-annual list of America's best colleges. The rankings are put together by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP).

Forbes

Hollins University is among 372 most interesting schools according to the 2008 Kaplan/Newsweek "How to Get Into College" guide.

Hollins is featured in the guide which includes articles on "Facebook's Freshmen," "How to Pay All Those Bills," and "20 Things You'll Learn at College."

Kaplan/Newsweek "How to Get Into College" Guide

Hollins University was named one of the "Best 371 Colleges" by the Princeton Review.

Hollins is featured among the country's top colleges and universities in the 2010 edition of The Princeton Review's annual guide, The Best 371 Colleges. Only about 15% of America's 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are in the book. The profiles are based on surveys filled out by students. Here are some of the things our students had to say about Hollins: You're "not just a number" here; Hollins produces "strong female leaders ready to face the world"; we're "about individuality and free speech," leaving "enough room and attention for you to grow." About academics: "Every teacher I have had has been 100% committed to making me feel comfortable with the subject matter." About campus life: "For all the girls who are tired of high school drama, this is the school for you," and "There's a little something for everyone."

The Princeton Review's Best 371 Colleges

Hollins University is among "America's 25 hot schools" according to the 2005 Kaplan/Newsweek "How to Get into College" guide. The guide names Hollins the country's "hottest riding school."

In recognizing Hollins' riding program, Kaplan/Newsweek says the university "offers outstanding training for equestriennes... Many Hollins students work with horses after graduation as trainers, riders or veterinarians."

Kaplan/Newsweek "How to Get Into College" Guide

The Washington Monthly college guide takes a unique approach to ranking colleges and universities. Operating from a basic question, "What are reasonable indicators of how much a school is benefiting the country?," the guide's editors look at how well a college performs as an engine of social mobility, how well it does in fostering scientific and humanistic research, and how well it promotes an ethic of service to the country.

In the category Liberal Arts Colleges, Hollins is ranked 56 out of a total of 253 schools nationally, and second among liberal arts colleges in Virginia. It outranks a number of other prestigious institutions, including Centre College (#91); Gettysburg College (#110); Scripps College (#128); DePauw University (#142); and Rhodes College (#161).

The Washington Monthly [2009]

Hollins University is listed among the top seven women's colleges in the country. The guide also lauds Hollins as one of the small colleges and universities strong in the following fields: art, film, and dance.

The Fiske Guide to Colleges

The NSSE is designed to obtain information from students about the nature of the undergraduate experience. Specifically, it measures the extent to which students engage in effective education practices that are empirically linked with learning, personal development and other desired outcomes such as student satisfaction, persistence, and graduation.

Here are some highlights from the 2006 survey:

• There is more student-faculty interaction going on at Hollins, especially among faculty and first-year students than their peers.
• Hollins students report having significantly more enriching educational experiences than their peers, especially seniors.

Click here to read more highlights. (PDF)

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

"What small university has produced more published writers than any other college its size in the United States?"

"If you're all set to say the name of a prestigious East Coast, ivy-covered institution costing almost $30,000 a year, repeat after me: Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia." Hollins was selected among 260 best buys in the nation.

Barron's Best Buys in College Education

Hollins is ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges.

America's Best Colleges

"Great Dorms," "Colleges Where Values are Particularly Important," "Colleges for the Student Interested in Building Leadership Skill," "Colleges with Active Honor Codes," "Colleges With Strong Foreign Study Programs," and "Career-Oriented Colleges." Also cited for "strong programs" in basketball, equestrian, lacrosse, and tennis, and "Alma Maters of Writers and Journalists" for Ann Compton, ABC News, and Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

The College Finder: Choosing the School That's Right for You

"In all areas, students proudly tell us, 'The main focus of the professors is the student body. Classes are small and challenging, and the base of liberal arts is wonderful.' Students also love the honor code, which allows them to take self-scheduled, unproctored exams, and the 'amazing' study abroad opportunities, which sends two-thirds of the student body [to] spend at least a semester abroad."

The Princeton Review's The Best Mid-Atlantic Colleges

"Committed to active learning, personal growth, achievement, service to society, and fulfilling work, Hollins University challenges women, nurturing them in a community with a deep sense of purpose, a strong commitment to learning, and a track record of preparing graduates who take leadership roles throughout society."

Colleges of Distinction