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The Cornwell Era: By the Numbers

August 01, 2025

By Audrey St. Clair ’03

A grid of images from Rollins College
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

Guided by President Cornwell’s visionary leadership over the past 10 years, Rollins achieved landmark growth, national acclaim, and a thriving, mission-driven community.

The numbers representing Grant Cornwell’s decade-long tenure as the 15th president of Rollins tell a compelling story—one of record-breaking enrollments, surging applications, and numerous national recognitions for everything from academic excellence to student support. They show an unyielding dedication to delivering on our mission in new and innovative ways and to creating a campus where people come together to advance knowledge and make a difference. Ultimately, all of these impressive numbers point to a single truth: Thanks to the leadership and vision of President Cornwell, Rollins is poised for a big, bright future.

Incoming Class of 2023
The incoming class of 2023, the largest in Rollins’ history. Photo by Scott Cook ’24.

68%

Growth in College of Liberal Arts (CLA) enrollment from 10 years prior to 2015-2025

638

Number of students in Rollins’ incoming CLA class of 2023, the largest in the College’s history

A student being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at Rollins
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

Top 10%

In 2022, Rollins became one of just 296 institutions to host a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the world’s most prestigious academic honor society. Earned by less than 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities, the honor is a testament to the rigor of Rollins’ curriculum and commitment to academic excellence. With membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Rollins students join the ranks of 17 U.S. presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel laureates.

Students and professor working on mathematics research
Photo by Scott Cook ’24.

Top 25 Best Classroom Experience

For the past three years, The Princeton Review has ranked Rollins’ classroom experience as one of the best in the nation, affirming the value of the College’s unique personalized learning environment and emphasis on mentorship.

Kathleen W. Rollins Hall exterior
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

10 Signature Programs

As the headquarters of applied learning, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall has brought 10 programs central to the College’s mission under one roof, equipping our students with the experiential and relational learning opportunities necessary to gain a competitive advantage in the real world.

Students riding horses through a creek in Costa Rica while studying abroad
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

Top 10 for Study Abroad

Rollins regularly ranks among the nation’s best for the percentage of students who study abroad—a testament to Rollins’ commitment to global citizenship. From semester- and summer-long programs to one-of-a-kind field studies, Tars are exploring the world and testing their ability to make it brighter.

35%

Increase in the endowment over the past 10 years, from $339.2 million in 2014-15 to $456.5 million in 2024-25.

A professor and student having a conversation while walking together
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

Top 20 for Student Student

From helping students juggle academics to maintaining their mental health, Rollins’ array of support programs and resources were named among the best in the country in 2024 by The Princeton Review.

A student and alumnus meet in Rice Pavilion through the Career Champions alumni mentorship program
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

340 Career Champions Pairs

Since 2017, the Career Champions alumni mentorship program has taken relational learning at Rollins to the next level, proliferating powerful partnerships between alumni and students across the country.

A Rollins lacrosse player on the field
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

Top 5 for Academic and Athletic Excellence

For the past 10 consecutive years, Rollins has earned the NCAA President’s Award, signifying the achievements of our student-athletes both on and off the field.

$262,868,328

Total given over the past 10 years by more than 15,000 donors to support the people, places, and programs that prepare our students to lead meaningful lives and productive careers.

Excited Rollins graduates celebrating while walking to their commencement ceremony
Photo by Scott Cook ’24MBA.

43%

Increase in the average financial aid package for CLA students

86%

Increase in institutional aid for CLA, Hamilton Holt School, and Crummer Graduate School of Business

42%

Growth of total amount of aid available to Rollins’ CLA students


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