Colby College vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, 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 Colby College based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby 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 Colby College than Holy Cross ($16,219 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 4.9% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($17,890 vs. $18,820).
• Colby College is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $5,100 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Colby College than at College of the Holy Cross (about $5,100 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Colby College (57% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 56.1% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($69,201 vs. $44,334).

Colby College vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 180 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Colby College vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby 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).

• The graduation rate at Colby College is the same as at College of the Holy Cross (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $8,155 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($200 vs. $284).
• More Colby College 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.