Holy Cross vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between College of the Holy Cross and University of Dayton? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

College of the Holy Cross
University of Dayton

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Holy Cross Worcester, MA
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Holy Cross Midsize City
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Holy Cross 3,126
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Holy Cross Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Holy Cross #79
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Holy Cross Roman Catholic
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Holy Cross Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Holy Cross
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Holy Cross $64,500
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Holy Cross $64,500
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Holy Cross $18,820
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Holy Cross $36,014
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Holy Cross $44,334
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Holy Cross 57%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Holy Cross 9,568
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Holy Cross 1,685
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Holy Cross 17.6%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Holy Cross 49.6%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Holy Cross 1330
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Holy Cross 29
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Holy Cross -
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Holy Cross -
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Holy Cross Very High
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Holy Cross Very High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Holy Cross 27/32
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Holy Cross 1240/1410
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Holy Cross Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Holy Cross 9:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Holy Cross
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • History (8%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Holy Cross 91%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Holy Cross $80,400
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Holy Cross 87%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Holy Cross $27,500
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Holy Cross $284
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Holy Cross 46%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Holy Cross 54%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Holy Cross Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Holy Cross No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Holy Cross 70%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Holy Cross 5%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Holy Cross 4%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Holy Cross 10%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Holy Cross 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Holy Cross 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Holy Cross 3%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Holy Cross 2%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Holy Cross 5%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Holy Cross 36%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Holy Cross 60%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Holy Cross Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Holy Cross No
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Holy Cross Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Holy Cross No
  • University of Dayton No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Holy Cross No
  • University of Dayton Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (10,506 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); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Holy Cross vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton than Holy Cross ($32,794 vs. $36,014).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dayton are 10.7% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($16,800 vs. $18,820).
  • College of the Holy Cross is 31.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dayton (about $15,360 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at Holy Cross than at University of Dayton (about $15,360 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at College of the Holy Cross (95% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 32.7% larger than aid received by University of Dayton students ($44,334 vs. $33,418).

Holy Cross vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and Holy Cross.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 40 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Holy Cross students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Holy Cross vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $23,100 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.