Holy Cross vs. City College of New York

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with CUNY City College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Holy Cross vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College than Holy Cross ($4,664 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 0.1% lower than at CUNY City College ($18,820 vs. $18,840).
• College of the Holy Cross is 778.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $57,160 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 321.8% higher at Holy Cross than at CUNY City College (about $49,210 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at College of the Holy Cross (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 354.1% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($44,334 vs. $9,763).

Holy Cross vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or City College of New York? 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 City College of New York and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 80 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
• 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; City College of New York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Holy Cross vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $16,100 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($11,400 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $167 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($117 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 52%)

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.