Salisbury vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

Salisbury vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Holy Cross? 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 Salisbury University than Holy Cross ($18,760 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 26.1% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($13,900 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 481.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $53,416 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.9% higher at Holy Cross than at Salisbury University (about $42,326 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at College of the Holy Cross (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 385.9% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($44,334 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 80 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Salisbury vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Holy Cross? 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 Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $28,400 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $7,347 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($20,153 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($208 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 68%)

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.