Holy Cross vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Holy Cross vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Holy Cross ($19,814 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are 3.9% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($18,080 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 593.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $55,197 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.7% higher at Holy Cross than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $42,237 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at College of the Holy Cross (96% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 409.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($44,334 vs. $8,699).

Holy Cross vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY-ESF and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 110 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Holy Cross vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $34,200 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($204 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.