Hollins University（霍林斯大学）is an all-women university in Virginia, founded in 1842, with a 475-acre campus at the foot of Tinker Mountain in Roanoke. Its graduate programs are coeducational. International families weighing a US liberal arts education often look at Hollins because of its small classes, its internship culture, and a dedicated international student office. This guide compiles what Hollins University publishes on its own website about programs, entry requirements, costs and application support, verified on 6 August 2026; anything the official site does not state is left out, and the latest official version always prevails.
Programs at Hollins University
Hollins University offers 29 undergraduate majors and 18 coeducational graduate and certificate programs. Undergraduate departments span the social sciences (business, communication studies, economics, political science, public health, sociology), the sciences (biology, environmental science, psychology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, physics), English and creative writing, the humanities and global studies (history, classics, philosophy, French, international studies, Spanish, plus a GLAM certificate), and performing arts and creative practice (theatre, dance, music, plus arts management). The academic calendar is 4-1-4: the January Short Term lets students pursue internships, study abroad, or an intense focus on a single course or project. Hollins University reports a faculty/student ratio of 1:8, an average class size of 12, and 98% of full-time professors holding a Ph.D. or the terminal degree in their field. On the student side, Hollins University counts 676 undergraduate women and 107 coeducational graduate students, from 44 states and territories and 14 countries, with 39% students of color. Three out of four students complete at least one internship, and almost half complete more than one.
International entry requirements
International students apply to Hollins University through the Common Application, with no application fee, and track their materials through the applicant portal. Required supporting documents include official academic records that list courses and grades for each grading period and carry the secondary school’s official stamp or seal, plus one recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor. International applicants must submit either an SAT or ACT score, though waivers are available to students who can offer alternative standardized testing such as Cambridge, IB, or AP scores. Non-native English speakers also submit a recommendation from their most recent English instructor, and must demonstrate English proficiency: a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (Internet-based); an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher; or a Duolingo English Test score of 110 or higher. The English requirement can be waived for applicants who attended a secondary school with all instruction in English for three or more years, or who score 610+ on the SAT evidence-based reading and writing section, or 26+ on the ACT English section. These are Hollins University’s own published thresholds; language requirements for US visas are separate and change, so treat the official pages as the current source.
Deadlines and application types
Hollins University offers three application types for first-year students. Early Decision closes October 15 and is binding, with a preferred FAFSA deadline of October 15. Early Action closes November 1 and is non-binding, with a preferred FAFSA deadline of November 15. Regular Decision closes February 1 and is non-binding, with a preferred FAFSA deadline of February 15. Domestic first-year applicants may submit SAT/ACT scores or omit them entirely with no disadvantage for admission or merit scholarships; international applicants, as noted above, are expected to provide scores or an approved waiver. International students can join Hollins University as first-year students, transfer students, or exchange students, and international admissions counselors offer informal Zoom interviews.
Costs, scholarships and financial aid for 2026-27
Hollins University publishes its 2026-27 annual residential tuition and fees before scholarships and grants: tuition (14-22 credit hours) is $44,550; food and housing (double room with 19 meals per week) is $16,540; student fees (technology, green, mailbox and student government) are $1,080; the total is $62,170. Part-time students are charged $1,395 per credit hour plus $510 in student fees. Fees are due in two installments: August 5, 2026 and January 6, 2027. On average, students in the 2024-25 incoming class received $41,315 in scholarships and grants, and Hollins University emphasizes that its net price calculator is intended for US students, so international applicants should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for cost estimates. For international students specifically, the first-year international page lists an academic merit scholarship of at least $23,000, evaluated at the time of admission, plus an International Friendship Award of varying amounts with limited additional funding.
Application support and international student life
Hollins University’s international student office supports F-1 students with cultural programming, internships and study abroad. New students join the International Student Transition and Engagement Program (ISTEP) and the International Student Orientation Program (ISOP), and A.C.C.E.N.T., the Association of Countries, Cultures, Events, and National Traditions, is the campus international culture club. The website lays out a four-year plan: first year, ISOP and peer mentorship; second year, internships and faculty research; third year, study abroad; fourth year, internships and OPT awareness. Hollins University reports that students participate in more than 20 field study and affiliated programs, with 44% of 2024 graduates having completed at least one global learning opportunity. The alumni network spans 54 countries, and the campus sits in Roanoke, a metro area of roughly 300,000 people, 10 minutes from a regional airport and 20 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail.
Working as an F-1 student
For F-1 students at Hollins University, the official site explains that on-campus work is allowed up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours during official school breaks. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) requires an internship directly related to the student’s major that earns academic credit, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides 12 months per degree level, usable in segments before graduation or concentrated after it; STEM-eligible programs may extend post-graduation OPT by 24 months. Both CPT and OPT require completion of one full academic year of enrollment first. After completing studies, F-1 students have a 60-day grace period from the end date on their I-20, which may be used to apply for OPT, transfer to another school, or travel within the US. The international student office holds OPT information sessions for graduating classes each fall and spring. Visa rules are set by the US government and change frequently; Hollins University’s pages reflect the school’s guidance, and official immigration sources remain authoritative.
What to prepare and how to proceed
Putting the pieces together for Hollins University: confirm the entry point (first-year, transfer, or exchange), prepare the Common Application and official transcripts with school seal, arrange the recommendation (from your most recent English instructor if your native language is not English), and plan for standardized testing or a waiver alongside English proficiency evidence. Note the deadline that fits your situation: Early Decision October 15, Early Action November 1, or Regular Decision February 1. Budget against the 2026-27 comprehensive fee of $62,170 before aid, and reach out about merit scholarships and the International Friendship Award early, since international funding is limited. For F-1 planning, remember the on-campus work limits and the 60-day grace period that frames the end of your program. This guide reflects Hollins University’s official pages as of 6 August 2026; fees, deadlines and requirements are reviewed regularly, so always confirm against the latest official versions. If you would like help mapping your academic profile, budget and timeline against Hollins University’s requirements, our advisers can walk through the details with you based on your specific situation.