Rollins College

Winter Park, Florida, United States · Est. 1885 · Liberal Arts College

Florida's oldest private university, founded 1885, educates global citizens through liberal arts excellence on a lakeside campus.

  • Founded November 4, 1885; Florida's fourth oldest post-secondary institution and oldest private university
  • Private liberal arts college with ~3,029 students (2,567 undergraduates, 556 postgraduates)
  • Located in Winter Park, Florida on 80-acre lakeside campus with Spanish-Mediterranean architecture
  • Offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through College of Arts & Sciences, Crummer Graduate School of Business, and Hamilton Holt School
  • NCAA Division II member; 15-year recipient of NCAA President's Award for Academic Excellence (98% student-athlete graduation rate in 2025)
  • Endowment of $509.2 million (2025); accredited by SACSCOC; member of Annapolis Group and Oberlin Group

Academics

Rollins College is a comprehensive liberal arts institution offering undergraduate degrees through the College of Arts and Sciences, graduate business programs via the Crummer Graduate School of Business, and professional advancement and graduate studies through the Hamilton Holt School. The college emphasizes discussion-based learning, applied learning, and mentorship. Rollins hosts the Theta Chapter of Florida of Phi Beta Kappa, established in 2022, recognizing outstanding arts and sciences students. The Archibald Granville Bush Science Center features 38 teaching and research laboratories and state-of-the-art SMART classrooms.

Campus & Student Life

The 80-acre campus on Lake Virginia features distinctive Spanish-Mediterranean Revival architecture designed to reflect the college's unified curriculum. Key facilities include Olin Library (dedicated 1985, recipient of 2013 ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award), the Alfond Boathouse, Annie Russell Theatre, Knowles Memorial Chapel, and the Rollins Museum of Art (Cornell Fine Arts Museum). The Winter Park Institute brings scholars and artists for free public symposiums and lectures. Campus traditions include Fox Day and the Winter Park Bach Festival. Student life is supported by the Cornell Campus Center, Alfond Sports Center, and residential halls including historic Pugsley, Mayflower, and Chase Halls.

Admissions

Rollins welcomes full-time undergraduates, transfer students (consistently ranked among the nation's best for transfer admissions), and graduate students. The college offers transfer-specific scholarships and dedicated advising. Graduate pathways include the Crummer Graduate School of Business (MBA, Executive DBA, continuing education) and eight graduate programs spanning education, counseling, human resources, and public health. Professional advancement programs allow students to complete bachelor's degrees with flexible scheduling.

Outcomes & Recognition

Rollins has earned the NCAA Division II President's Award for Academic Excellence for 15 consecutive years, with a 98% student-athlete graduation rate in 2025—third highest in the nation. The college is ranked No. 1 private regional university in the South for transfer students and No. 3 nationally for blending academic and athletic excellence. Notable alumni include those in entertainment, business, and public service. The college emphasizes career preparation through mentorship, applied learning, and a dedicated careers office.

Founded
1885
Type
Liberal Arts College
Courses
12
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationCongregational (founded by New England Congregationalists; now independent and nonsectarian)
Websitehttp://rollins.edu
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
12
Avg career outcomes
$58.3K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources