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Rollins has been ranked the No. 1 regional university in the South in the 2021 rankings of “Best Colleges,” released today by U.S. News & World Report.

Rollins was ranked No. 1 among the 142 colleges and universities in this category, which is composed of schools that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs.

For more than 25 consecutive years, Rollins has been ranked among the top two regional universities in the South and has been the top-ranked Florida school in the category.

“Rollins is proud once again to be recognized so prominently among the nation’s best colleges,” says President Grant Cornwell. “Our longstanding placement at the top of this ranking affirms that our interdisciplinary, personalized learning environment combined with our integrated approach to mentorship and focus on experiential learning is the best preparation for the next generation of leaders as they tackle the challenges of the 21st century.”

The “Best Colleges” rankings evaluate colleges and universities on 15 measures of academic quality, and Rollins continues to rank high among the country’s most renowned institutions based on first-year student retention, strength of the faculty, graduation rate, admission selectivity, and alumni giving.

Rollins’ ranking can also be attributed to the College’s commitment to small classes and engaged, personalized learning between students and faculty, which has been a key pillar of a Rollins education since the College’s founding in 1885. In addition to ranking as the South’s top regional university, Rollins was also ranked—for the second year in a row—No. 1 for best undergraduate teaching programs, which recognizes colleges for having a strong commitment to teaching undergraduates.

“This kind of recognition is a testament to the College’s commitment to academic excellence and the achievement of our innovative faculty and industrious students,” says Cornwell. “It underscores how well Rollins is delivering on its promise to educate students for global citizenship and responsible leadership in our increasingly complex world, empowering them to lead meaningful lives and forge productive careers.”

U.S. News & World Report also recognized Rollins as a best value school and as one of the South’s most innovative colleges, calling out the College’s interdisciplinary curriculum, campus life, and use of technology. In addition, the College’s AACSB-accredited undergraduate business program was ranked among the nation’s best, and Rollins was acknowledged for having one of the nation’s best first-year student experiences, which includes orientation as well as curriculum- and cohort-based seminars and programming interspersed throughout students’ first year of college. 

The print edition of the “Best Colleges 2021” guidebook can be purchased online now or on newsstands October 27.

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