Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Winter Park, Florida
40.6% Acceptance Rate
Rollins College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
40.6%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1304Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$72,790Annual Cost
$58,295Grad Salary
22.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
40.6%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1304
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1360
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Need-Based Aid
22.1% receive Pell
Rollins College Rollins College, founded in 1885 in Winter Park, Florida, is the state's oldest recognized college and a leading private liberal arts institution. The 80-acre lakeside campus offers comprehensive programs with particular strengths in international business, environmental studies, and the arts. Rollins maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and is consistently ranked among the top regional universities in the South. Campus features include the Alfond Inn for hospitality management training and the Bush Science Center with cutting-edge research facilities.
Rollins takes pride in its commitment to global citizenship and experiential learning. All students complete internships, research, or study abroad experiences. Campus life includes NCAA Division II athletics and over 100 student organizations. The college's location near Orlando provides numerous professional opportunities. Recent additions include the Lakeside Neighborhood residential complex. Rollins' combination of academic excellence, beautiful campus setting, and focus on applied learning creates a distinctive liberal arts experience in Florida.
Rollins College Acceptance Rate
Rollins College is selective but reasonable. About 40.6% of applicants (41 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Rollins Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 40.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Rollins College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Rollins College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Decision I
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Rollins reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Spring Admission
December 10
Early Decision II
January 5
Decision by: February 1
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Rollins GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Rollins is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.70–3.90.Rollins GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The college meets demonstrated financial need using a combination of institutional grants and specialized need-based aid via the CSS Profile tracker.
- High school curriculum intensity, including AP, IB, or dual-enrollment choices, serves as the primary mechanical anchor for evaluating academic capability.
- The small-scale, seminar-based discussion model requires high levels of daily personal engagement and oral communication readiness from day one.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Rollins
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Rollins College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Rollins College (Rollins) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Rollins is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Rollins Without SAT or ACT?
Rollins considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Rollins College Average SAT Score: 1304
The average SAT score of admitted students at Rollins College is 1304 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1304 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1360 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Rollins College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1210, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Rollins. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 630 | 590 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 620 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1304 | 1210 | 1360 |
Below 1210, you're behind most admitted students; at 1360 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Rollins College (Rollins) with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Rollins's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Rollins College (Rollins) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Rollins is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT English | 29 | 26 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into Rollins College with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Rollins's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Rollins.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Rollins
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Rollins, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Holistic Character Depth
Craft an authentic, narrative-driven application profile that emphasizes your global citizenship, community impact, and collaborative leadership. The admissions panel utilizes a deep holistic review process where personal voice holds massive weight.
Crummer Business Pathway
Indicate your long-term interest in the accelerated 3:2 Crummer Graduate School of Business track early in your onboarding communication. Aligning with this pathway demands maintaining strict undergraduate GPA tracking and early counseling checkpoints.
Test-Optional Optimization
Choose the test-optional admissions path if your standardized testing profiles do not accurately reflect your daily high school classroom performance. Opting out will not jeopardize your standing for general admission or standard institutional merit awards.
Early Decision Commitment
Apply via Early Decision I or II if this institution is definitively your absolute top academic choice. Utilizing this binding application pathway demonstrates maximum institutional interest and yields a higher historical statistical acceptance ratio.
Expert Insight: Utilizing automated AI essay generators or generic structural essay templates will result in your application file being discarded during primary visual filtering.
Rollins Profile
Full Name
Rollins College (Rollins)
City
Winter Park
State
Florida
ZIP Code
32789-4499
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Rollins Degree Worth It?
At $72,790/year against a $58,295 median graduate salary, Rollins is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $69,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.91%.
How much does a degree from Rollins Cost?
The sticker price is $72,790/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
22.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 37.5% take federal loans at Rollins. File your FAFSA early and list Rollins as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Rollins Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,295. That's about 44% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Rollins College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Rollins College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Rollins College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Rollins
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Rollins Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Rollins College run about $58,295 a year.
At about $72,790 a year, Rollins College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Rollins College's Pell Grant rate of 22.1% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 40.6%, Rollins College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Rollins College average a 3.5 GPA.
Rollins College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.1, Rollins College becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Rollins College — aim above 1304, ideally within the 1210–1360 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Rollins College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.