AU vs. Holy Cross

Should I go to American University or College of the Holy Cross? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or Holy Cross is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

George Washington Villanova BC Georgetown Providence Fordham Trinity College Syracuse Fairfield University Mason Lafayette College Union College
American University vs. College of the Holy Cross comparison
American University College of the Holy Cross College 3 College 4
American University College of the Holy Cross
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

AU Holy Cross
Location Washington, DC Worcester, MA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 13,885 3,083
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #86
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu holycross.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU Holy Cross
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $57,600
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $57,600
Room & Board $15,706 $16,620
Avg Net Price $41,369 $34,679
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $39,615
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 60%

Admission

AU Holy Cross
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 7,036
Admitted 7,926 2,558
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 36.4%
Enrolled % 22.2% 35.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 29/32 28/32
SAT Range 1290/1430 1260/1430
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

AU Holy Cross
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • History (8%)

Outcomes

AU Holy Cross
Graduation Rate 77% 91%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $80,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 87%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $284

Diversity

AU Holy Cross
% Men 37% 45%
% Women 63% 55%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 70%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

AU Holy Cross
% In-State 2% 35%
% Out-of-State 94% 61%

Campus

AU Holy Cross
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 3,083 students)

AU vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Holy Cross?

  • College of the Holy Cross is 8.5% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($57,600.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.5% higher at Holy Cross than American University ($57,600.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of the Holy Cross than AU ($34,679 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 5.8% lower than costs at College of the Holy Cross ($15,706 vs. $16,620)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than College of the Holy Cross (66% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 46% larger than aid received American University ($39,615 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. Holy Cross Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Holy Cross? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Holy Cross or AU .

  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (40.6%) than Holy Cross (36.4%)

AU vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or Holy Cross? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Holy Cross and AU.

  • The graduation rate at Holy Cross is higher than American University (91% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn on average $15,600 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($80,400 vs. $64,800)
  • American University students graduate with a $3,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Holy Cross graduates. ($24,250 vs. $27,500)
  • AU graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Holy Cross graduates. ($250 vs. $284)
  • More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/