Babson vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

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

Babson College is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (3,932 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Babson 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: Babson College 15:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

Babson vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson 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 Babson College than Holy Cross ($32,019 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 12.7% lower than at Babson College ($18,820 vs. $21,550).
• College of the Holy Cross is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $7,348 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Holy Cross than at Babson College (about $7,348 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Babson College (57% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 8.7% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($48,173 vs. $44,334).

Babson vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson 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 Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Babson College (1460) is 130 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Babson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Babson (17.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Babson vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson 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 Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $28,100 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Babson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Babson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($268 vs. $284).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

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.