College of the Atlantic vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, 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 College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Atlantic is located in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Atlantic 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: College of the Atlantic 9:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

College of the Atlantic vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of the Atlantic 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 College of the Atlantic than Holy Cross ($21,829 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 44.7% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($10,404 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 34.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $16,503 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at Holy Cross than at College of the Atlantic (about $16,503 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at College of the Holy Cross (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 21.7% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($44,334 vs. $36,437).

College of the Atlantic vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of the Atlantic 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 College of the Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 10 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Atlantic 1240/1430; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCollege of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of the Atlantic - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• College of the Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (70.2%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.4% at College of the Atlantic vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

College of the Atlantic vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of the Atlantic 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 College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $52,200 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($204 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.