Holy Cross vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Holy Cross vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than Holy Cross ($16,621 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 18.8% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($15,274 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 351.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $50,220 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.7% higher at Holy Cross than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $40,494 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at College of the Holy Cross (89% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 355.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($44,334 vs. $9,742).

Holy Cross vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 120 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Holy Cross vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Wilkes Barre graduates have a $682 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($277 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

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.