Why is Rollins College So Expensive?

Recently, I've been researching colleges and I stumbled upon Rollins College. However, I noticed their tuition is quite pricey compared to other institutions. Could anyone explain why Rollins College's tuition is on the higher end? Does the cost have to do with the quality of education, location, or facilities?

Rollins College, like many private universities, uses a high-cost, high-aid model. That means that while the sticker price is steep, a substantial amount of financial aid is also available. The tuition helps fund exceptional professors, enriching extracurriculars, state-of-the-art facilities, and small class sizes - giving students a well-rounded, quality education.

As it's based in Winter Park, Florida, its location does play a role in the cost. Areas with a higher cost of living tend to have higher tuition rates as it costs the school more to operate there.

Additionally, being a small school, Rollins does not have the economy-of-scale benefits that larger institutions might have. So, the cost per student to provide the same level of resources and support is often higher. As a result, the tuition fees might appear higher when compared on a student-to-student basis with larger universities.

Of course, the final cost for a student often comes down to the financial aid package they receive. Many students do not end up paying the full sticker price. Families are typically advised to fill out the FAFSA and check their expected contribution using Rollins' net price calculator. This can give a more accurate portrait of what a family would need to pay.