Holy Cross College vs. Calvin University

Should I go to Holy Cross College or Calvin University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Holy Cross College or Calvin University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Holy Cross College vs. Calvin University comparison
Holy Cross College Calvin University College 3 College 4
Calvin University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Holy Cross College Calvin University
Location Notre Dame, IN Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 434 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #284
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hcc-nd.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Holy Cross College Calvin University
Tuition (In State) $33,500 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $33,500 $38,370
Room & Board $12,000 $11,150
Avg Net Price $22,650 $25,775
Avg Grant Aid $24,381 $26,448
% Receiving Grant Aid 59% 100%

Admission

Holy Cross College Calvin University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 944 4,079
Admitted 719 3,027
Acceptance Rate 76.2% 74.2%
Enrolled % 28.2% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.84
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30
SAT Range 1203/1373 1120/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 28, 2025

Academics

Holy Cross College Calvin University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • History (13%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Holy Cross College Calvin University
Graduation Rate 13% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,800 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,125 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $239 $273

Diversity

Holy Cross College Calvin University
% Men 57% 46%
% Women 43% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 74%
% Black 11% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 4% 10%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Holy Cross College Calvin University
% In-State 35% 51%
% Out-of-State 61% 33%

Campus

Holy Cross College Calvin University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin University is larger than than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 434 students)

Holy Cross College vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Calvin University?

  • Calvin University is 14.5% more expensive to attend than Holy Cross College for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $33,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.5% higher at Calvin University than Holy Cross College ($38,370.00 vs. $33,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Holy Cross College than Calvin University ($22,650 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 7.6% lower than costs at Holy Cross College ($11,150 vs. $12,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Holy Cross College (100% vs. 59%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 8.5% larger than aid received Holy Cross College ($26,448 vs. $24,381)

Holy Cross College vs. Calvin University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross College or Calvin University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Calvin University or Holy Cross College .

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 218 points higher than at Holy Cross College (984)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Holy Cross College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2)
  • Holy Cross College has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Calvin University (74.2%)

Holy Cross College vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Holy Cross College or Calvin University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Calvin University and Holy Cross College.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Holy Cross College (77% vs. 13%)
  • Graduates from Calvin University earn on average $3,200 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $43,800)
  • Holy Cross College students graduate with a $3,324 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($23,125 vs. $26,449)
  • Holy Cross College graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($239 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/