Holy Cross vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Holy Cross vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Holy Cross ($19,870 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 17.1% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($15,605 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 48.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $21,175 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at Holy Cross than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $21,175 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms 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 31.2% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($44,334 vs. $33,794).

Holy Cross vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 90 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Holy Cross vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Elms 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).

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $34,100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($258 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 61%)

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.