Holy Cross vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Holy Cross vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Holy Cross ($29,981 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 3.1% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($18,240 vs. $18,820).
• Vassar College is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $6,530 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Vassar than at College of the Holy Cross (about $6,530 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Vassar College (57% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 29.6% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($57,443 vs. $44,334).

Holy Cross vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 170 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Holy Cross).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Holy Cross vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and Vassar? 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).

• The graduation rate at Holy Cross is the same as at Vassar College (91% vs. 91%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $22,000 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $11,720 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($163 vs. $284).
• More Vassar 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.