Holy Cross vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Holy Cross vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or F&M? 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 F&M ($36,014 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 14% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($16,188 vs. $18,820).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $6,294 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at F&M than at College of the Holy Cross (about $6,294 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at College of the Holy Cross (80% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($44,334 vs. $41,901).

Holy Cross vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or F&M? 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 F&M and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 60 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming F&M 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; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• F&M has a higher acceptance rate (28.2%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Holy Cross vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($227 vs. $284).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.