Holy Cross vs. MIT

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (11,886 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); Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1.

Holy Cross vs. MIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or MIT? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Holy Cross ($20,996 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 7.2% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($18,820 vs. $20,280).
• College of the Holy Cross is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $2,104 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Holy Cross than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $2,104 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at College of the Holy Cross (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 39.2% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($61,734 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. MIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 220 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming MIT students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); MIT - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 85.8% at MIT.

Holy Cross vs. MIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than College of the Holy Cross's (91%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $61,700 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $10,184 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($17,316 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($179 vs. $284).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.