Holy Cross vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (7,040 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); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Holy Cross vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or RPI? 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 RPI ($36,014 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 3.7% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($18,120 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $419 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Holy Cross than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $419 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at College of the Holy Cross (95% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($44,334 vs. $43,517).

Holy Cross vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 110 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Holy Cross vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Holy Cross graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $80,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Holy Cross graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Holy Cross graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($284 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.