Bowdoin College vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME 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 Bowdoin College based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Bowdoin 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: Bowdoin College 9:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

Bowdoin College vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowdoin College 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 Bowdoin College than Holy Cross ($22,228 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 1.8% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($18,488 vs. $18,820).
• Bowdoin College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $3,332 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Bowdoin College than at College of the Holy Cross (about $3,332 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Bowdoin College (57% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bowdoin College students is 41.8% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($62,872 vs. $44,334).

Bowdoin College vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowdoin College 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 Bowdoin College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bowdoin College (1510) is 180 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Bowdoin College 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: Bowdoin College 1470/1550; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowdoin College 33/35; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowdoin College - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Bowdoin College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.6% at Bowdoin College vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Bowdoin College vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowdoin College 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).

• Bowdoin College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than College of the Holy Cross's (91%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Bowdoin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $75,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have a $8,667 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($18,833 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Bowdoin College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($194 vs. $284).
• More Bowdoin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.