Amherst vs. Holy Cross

Amherst College and College of the Holy Cross side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
College of the Holy Cross

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 17.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $36,014 at Holy Cross.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Holy Cross 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Holy Cross $80,400 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College College of the Holy Cross
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Holy Cross17.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Holy Cross1240-1410
Average net price
Amherst $16,965 less
Amherst$19,049
Holy Cross$36,014
In-state tuition
Holy Cross $5,980 less
Amherst$70,480
Holy Cross$64,500
Out-of-state tuition
Holy Cross $5,980 less
Amherst$70,480
Holy Cross$64,500
Graduation rate
Amherst +5 pts
Amherst96%
Holy Cross91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$1,600
Amherst$82,000
Holy Cross$80,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Holy Cross 9,568
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Holy Cross 1,685
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Holy Cross 17.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Holy Cross 49.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Holy Cross 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Holy Cross 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Holy Cross -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Holy Cross -
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Holy Cross Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Holy Cross Very High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Holy Cross 1240-1410
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Holy Cross 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Holy Cross Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Holy Cross $64,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Holy Cross $64,500
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Holy Cross $18,820
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Holy Cross $36,014
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Holy Cross $44,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Holy Cross 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Holy Cross 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Holy Cross $80,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Holy Cross 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Holy Cross $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Holy Cross $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Holy Cross 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Holy Cross
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Holy Cross Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Holy Cross Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Holy Cross 3,126
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Holy Cross Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Holy Cross #79

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 2.3% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($18,390 vs. $18,820).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at Amherst than at College of the Holy Cross (about $5,980 more per year; $70,480 vs. $64,500).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at College of the Holy Cross (59% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 54.7% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($68,591 vs. $44,334).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Amherst than at Holy Cross (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Holy Cross.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,525 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($134 vs. $284).
  • More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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