Holy Cross vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Holy Cross vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Holy Cross ($22,469 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 7.3% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,820 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $994 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Swarthmore than at College of the Holy Cross (about $994 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross as at Swarthmore College (57% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 39% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($61,634 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 200 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Holy Cross vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than College of the Holy Cross's (91%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($201 vs. $284).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.