Holy Cross vs. Suffolk University

Should I go to College of the Holy Cross or Suffolk University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Holy Cross or Suffolk University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Villanova BC Providence Fordham Trinity College Emmanuel College UMass Fairfield University Union College Colgate Lafayette College WPI
College of the Holy Cross vs. Suffolk University comparison
College of the Holy Cross Suffolk University College 3 College 4
College of the Holy Cross Suffolk University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Holy Cross Suffolk University
Location Worcester, MA Boston, MA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,083 6,734
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #86 #450
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website holycross.edu suffolk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Holy Cross Suffolk University
Tuition (In State) $57,600 $42,790
Tuition (Out of State) $57,600 $42,790
Room & Board $16,620 $18,482
Avg Net Price $34,679 $32,270
Avg Grant Aid $39,615 $27,856
% Receiving Grant Aid 60% 97%

Admission

Holy Cross Suffolk University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,036 9,699
Admitted 2,558 8,418
Acceptance Rate 36.4% 86.8%
Enrolled % 35.3% 15%
Avg High School GPA - 3.33
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 28/32 24/30
SAT Range 1260/1430 1080/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024 Feb 15, 2024

Academics

Holy Cross Suffolk University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • History (8%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Holy Cross Suffolk University
Graduation Rate 91% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $80,400 $59,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $279

Diversity

Holy Cross Suffolk University
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 40%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 10% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 23%
% Unknown Race 5% 9%

Students

Holy Cross Suffolk University
% In-State 35% 56%
% Out-of-State 61% 36%

Campus

Holy Cross Suffolk University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Suffolk University is larger than than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (6,734 students vs. 3,083 students)

Holy Cross vs. Suffolk University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Suffolk University?

  • College of the Holy Cross is 34.6% more expensive to attend than Suffolk University for in-state tuition ($57,600.00 vs. $42,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.6% higher at Holy Cross than Suffolk University ($57,600.00 vs. $42,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Suffolk University than Holy Cross ($32,270 vs. $34,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 11.2% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($16,620 vs. $18,482)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Suffolk University than College of the Holy Cross (97% vs. 60%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 42.2% larger than aid received Suffolk University ($39,615 vs. $27,856)

Holy Cross vs. Suffolk University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or Suffolk University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Suffolk University or Holy Cross .

  • Suffolk University has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than Holy Cross (36.4%)

Holy Cross vs. Suffolk University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Holy Cross or Suffolk University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Suffolk University and Holy Cross.

  • The graduation rate at Holy Cross is higher than Suffolk University (91% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn on average $21,300 more per year than Suffolk University graduates after ten years. ($80,400 vs. $59,100)
  • Suffolk University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Holy Cross graduates. ($27,000 vs. $27,500)
  • Suffolk University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Holy Cross graduates. ($279 vs. $284)
  • More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Suffolk University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/