Principia College vs. Holy Cross College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Holy Cross College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (661 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Holy Cross College is in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Holy Cross College 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 8.7% lower than at Principia College ($12,700 vs. $13,910).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Holy Cross College than at Principia College (about $1,920 more per year; $36,600 vs. $34,680).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Principia College than at Holy Cross College (90% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 7% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($30,402 vs. $28,416).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Holy Cross College than at Principia College (27 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are not reported at Principia College, test-free at Holy Cross College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Principia College average a 3.34 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Holy Cross College (3.2).

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.