BSU vs. Holy Cross College

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Holy Cross College is in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Holy Cross College 13:1.

BSU vs. Holy Cross College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Holy Cross College? 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 Ball State University than Holy Cross College ($13,599 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 2.9% lower than at Holy Cross College ($12,334 vs. $12,700).
• Holy Cross College is 230.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $25,518 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Holy Cross College than at Ball State University (about $6,970 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at Holy Cross College (77% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 115% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($28,416 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Holy Cross College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Holy Cross College 980/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Holy Cross College 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Holy Cross College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 19.5% at Holy Cross College.

BSU vs. Holy Cross College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Holy Cross College? 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).

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Holy Cross College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($239 vs. $258).
• More Holy Cross College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.