Holy Cross vs. Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dartmouth College is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (6,938 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); Dartmouth College is in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Dartmouth College 7:1.

Holy Cross vs. Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Dartmouth? 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 Dartmouth College than Holy Cross ($20,322 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 5.9% lower than at Dartmouth College ($18,820 vs. $19,999).
• Dartmouth College is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $3,768 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Dartmouth than at College of the Holy Cross (about $3,768 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Dartmouth College (57% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 52.2% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($67,471 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 210 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Dartmouth students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Dartmouth College 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Dartmouth College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Dartmouth - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027.
• Holy Cross has a higher acceptance rate (17.6%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 69.1% at Dartmouth.

Holy Cross vs. Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Dartmouth? 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).

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than College of the Holy Cross's (91%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $14,039 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($13,461 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($139 vs. $284).
• More Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.