U.S. News and World Report‘s 2019 Best Colleges has ranked Hollins University as the country’s #27 Best Value School in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category.
“To determine which colleges and universities offer the best value for students,” the college guide says, “U.S. News take into account both academic quality and cost.” Three variables determine the Best Value rankings:
- Ratio of quality to price (“The higher the ratio of a school’s 2019 Best Colleges overall score to the discounted total cost for the academic year, the better the value.”)
- Need-based aid (“The higher the percentage of all undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants, the better.”)
- Average discount (“The percentage of a school’s total sticker cost – tuition, room and board, fees, books, and other expenses – that was covered by the average need-based scholarship or grant award for undergraduates. The higher the discount percentage, the better.”)
U.S. News places Hollins at #103 overall in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category. According to the guide, these schools “emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.” The university is also cited as an “A-Plus School for B Students” among National Liberal Arts Colleges. “Since the U.S. News rankings are a gauge of excellence,” the guide explains, “National Liberal Arts Colleges all had to first be ranked in top three-fourths of their 2019 Best Colleges ranking category to be eligible.” In addition, the guide looked at average freshman retention rates (“an important indicator of student satisfaction”) and admissions data (“…colleges had to admit a meaningful proportion of students who didn’t get straight A’s”). Hollins is noted as a “More Selective” school in the “A-Plus Schools for B Students” listings.
The U.S. News profile of Hollins features a detailed overview of academics, cost and aid, how to apply, and more.
