BC vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston College is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Boston 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: Boston College 10:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

BC vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Holy Cross? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston College than Holy Cross ($32,519 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 0.5% lower than at Boston College ($18,820 vs. $18,916).
• Boston College is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $6,202 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at BC than at College of the Holy Cross (about $6,202 more per year; $70,702.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Boston College (57% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 28.5% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($56,971 vs. $44,334).

BC vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or Holy Cross? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Holy Cross and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston College (1490) is 160 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming BC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than BC (16.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

BC vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Holy Cross? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at BC is the same as at College of the Holy Cross (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, BC graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($196 vs. $284).
• More BC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.