Holy Cross College vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Our Lady of the Elms is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (1,268 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Elms College? 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 Our Lady of the Elms than Holy Cross College ($19,870 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 18.6% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($12,700 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $6,725 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Elms College than at Holy Cross College (about $6,725 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Holy Cross College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($33,794 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 100 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Holy Cross College vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College and Elms College? 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 Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($239 vs. $258).
• More Holy Cross College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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.