Amherst vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Amherst vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst 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 Amherst College than Holy Cross ($19,049 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 2.3% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($18,390 vs. $18,820).
• Amherst College is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $5,980 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at Amherst than at College of the Holy Cross (about $5,980 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at College of the Holy Cross (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 54.7% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($68,591 vs. $44,334).

Amherst vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst 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 Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 210 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Amherst 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: Amherst College 1490/1580; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Amherst vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than College of the Holy Cross's (91%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,525 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($134 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst 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.