Holy Cross vs. St John's

Comparable Facts

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

St. John's University New York is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (19,389 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); St. John's University New York is in Queens, NY (Large City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John's University New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; St. John's University New York 16:1.

Holy Cross vs. St John's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or St John's? 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 St. John's University New York than Holy Cross ($29,656 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 8.6% lower than at St. John's University New York ($18,820 vs. $20,600).
• College of the Holy Cross is 21.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than St John's (about $11,480 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $53,020.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Holy Cross than at St. John's University New York (about $11,480 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $53,020.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John's University New York than at College of the Holy Cross (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 23.2% larger than aid received by St. John's University New York students ($44,334 vs. $35,979).

Holy Cross vs. St John's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or St John's? 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 St John's and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 80 points higher than at St John's (1250).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at St John's).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; St. John's University New York 1150/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; St. John's University New York 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; St John's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• St John's has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 11.6% at St John's.

Holy Cross vs. St John's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and St John's? 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 St. John's University New York's (58%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than St John's graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $61,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John's University New York graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, St John's graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($268 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St John's students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 65%)

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.