Rollins College
Rollins College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rollins College at a Glance
Rollins College is a private liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida, United States. It was founded in 1885. Florida's fourth oldest post-secondary institution and oldest private university, it has an approximate enrollment of 3,000 students, composed of roughly 2,500 undergraduates and 500 postgraduates.
1885
141 years old
$509M
$509.2 million (2025)
3,029
2,567 undergrad · 556 grad
80 acres
Identity
Is Rollins College Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Rollins College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,295 — 8% above average — while paying $34,732/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.4-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 76% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Rollins College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rollins College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #21 of 34 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #2 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #3 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 49 | $28,199 | $70,871 |
| #4 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #5 | Allegheny College | 47 | $22,940 | $62,069 |
| #6 | The University of the South | 47 | $27,872 | $64,911 |
| #21 | Rollins College | 32 | $34,732 | $58,295 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Rollins College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in FL.
Best Programs at Rollins College
The highest-earning program at Rollins College is International Business at $41,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a International Business graduate from Rollins College earns $41,900, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,732/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Business | $41,900 | $41,900 | $26,088 |
| Economics | $41,600 | $41,600 | $26,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $36,900 | $36,900 | $18,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,400 | $33,400 | $27,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $32,200 | $32,200 | $21,312 |
| Psychology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,600 | $29,600 | $25,137 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,100 | $21,100 | $27,000 |
| Music | $19,700 | $19,700 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,900 | $18,900 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Winter Park, FL
- Student Body
- 2,631 students
- Admission Rate
- 48%
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,732
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,295
- Median Student Debt
- $25,500