Colorado College vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

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

College of the Holy Cross is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (3,126 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colorado College vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or Holy Cross? 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 Colorado College ($36,014 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 14.9% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($16,020 vs. $18,820).
• Colorado College is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross (about $6,234 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Colorado College than at College of the Holy Cross (about $6,234 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $64,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Holy Cross than at Colorado College (57% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 14.7% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($50,834 vs. $44,334).

Colorado College vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado College (1350) is 20 points higher than at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Colorado College 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: Colorado College 1230/1460; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• Colorado College has a higher acceptance rate (18.5%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

Colorado College vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado College and Holy Cross? 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 Colorado College's (88%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $34,400 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($211 vs. $284).
• More Colorado College 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.