U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Best Colleges places Hollins at #24 among the country’s Top Performers for Social Mobility and ranks the university as the #30 Best Value School, both in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category.
The 2020 Best Colleges rankings were released to the public September 9.
Rankings for social mobility are new this year to the publication. They recognize how well colleges graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants.
U.S. News determines which colleges and universities offer the best value for students by taking into account both academic quality and cost, and factoring in three variables: Ratio of quality to price; need-based aid; and average discount.
Hollins is ranked #102 overall among National Liberal Arts Colleges and is cited as an “A+ School for B Students” in the category. “Since the U.S. News rankings are a gauge of excellence,” the guide explains regarding the latter recognition, “a college or university had to first be ranked in the top three-fourths of their 2020 Best Colleges ranking categories to be eligible.” In addition, the guide looked at average first-year retention rates and whether institutions admitted a meaningful proportion of students who didn’t get straight A’s. Hollins is noted as a “More Selective” school in the “A+ 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.
