Holy Cross vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Holy Cross vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Holy Cross ($22,520 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 6.6% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($17,580 vs. $18,820).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $7,345 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.4% higher at Columbia than at College of the Holy Cross (about $7,345 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Columbia University in the City of New York (57% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 51.1% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($67,010 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or Columbia? 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 Columbia and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 220 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Columbia 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: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Holy Cross vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than College of the Holy Cross's (91%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $27,200 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.