Holy Cross vs. Williams

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Williams College 6:1.

Holy Cross vs. Williams Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Williams? 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 Williams College than Holy Cross ($15,894 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 8.3% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($17,260 vs. $18,820).
• Williams College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $4,060 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Williams than at College of the Holy Cross (about $4,060 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Williams College (57% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 55.6% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($68,966 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. Williams Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 200 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Williams 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; Williams College 1490/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Williams College 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Williams - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 43% at Williams.

Holy Cross vs. Williams Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Williams 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 $6,800 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,918 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($150 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.