Holy Cross vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Holy Cross vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Dickinson 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 the Holy Cross than Dickinson College ($36,014 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 9.1% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($17,100 vs. $18,820).
• Dickinson College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $1,150 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Dickinson College than at College of the Holy Cross (about $1,150 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at College of the Holy Cross (96% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($44,479 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 60 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Holy Cross vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Dickinson 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($217 vs. $284).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.