Holy Cross vs. CSE

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than CSE based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 871 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Saint Elizabeth University is in Morristown, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Elizabeth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Saint Elizabeth University 8:1.

Holy Cross vs. CSE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or CSE? 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 Saint Elizabeth University than Holy Cross ($23,437 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Elizabeth University are 27.5% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($13,652 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 75.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSE (about $27,759 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $36,741.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.6% higher at Holy Cross than at Saint Elizabeth University (about $27,759 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $36,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Elizabeth University than at College of the Holy Cross (96% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 49% larger than aid received by Saint Elizabeth University students ($44,334 vs. $29,755).

Holy Cross vs. CSE Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• 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; CSE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• CSE has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 7.6% at CSE.

Holy Cross vs. CSE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and CSE? 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 Saint Elizabeth University's (58%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $34,900 more per year than CSE graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Elizabeth University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, CSE 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 CSE students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 57%)

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.