Holy Cross College vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Denison University 9:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Denison? 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 Holy Cross College than Denison ($22,421 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 22.6% lower than at Denison University ($12,700 vs. $16,400).
• Denison University is 83.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $30,400 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.1% higher at Denison than at Holy Cross College (about $30,400 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Holy Cross College (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($38,179 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 270 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Denison students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Holy Cross College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Denison students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Holy Cross College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Holy Cross College vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College and Denison? 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).

• Denison University's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $2,875 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($23,125 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($239 vs. $268).
• More Denison graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 64%)

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.