Holy Cross vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

Holy Cross vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or MHC? 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 Mount Holyoke College than Holy Cross ($32,526 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 4.4% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($18,820 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $2,518 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at MHC than at College of the Holy Cross (about $2,518 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at College of the Holy Cross (77% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($52,418 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. MHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 130 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming MHC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 27.2% at MHC.

Holy Cross vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $30,400 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $6,294 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($21,206 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($219 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

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.