Holy Cross vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (15,575 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); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

Holy Cross vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston than Holy Cross ($17,768 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Holy Cross are 1.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($18,820 vs. $19,128).
• College of the Holy Cross is 305.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $48,592 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.2% higher at Holy Cross than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $26,375 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at College of the Holy Cross (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 215.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($44,334 vs. $14,042).

Holy Cross vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 150 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Holy Cross vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $29,200 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $5,440 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($228 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 58%)

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.