Holy Cross vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of the Holy Cross is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Holy Cross vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Holy Cross ($26,756 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 27.6% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($13,630 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $4,740 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Holy Cross than at St Olaf College (about $4,740 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at College of the Holy Cross (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 1.7% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($45,098 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 60 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Holy Cross vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, St Olaf graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.