Holy Cross College vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell ($22,421 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 24.6% lower than at Grinnell College ($12,700 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 86.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $31,506 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.1% higher at Grinnell than at Holy Cross College (about $31,506 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Holy Cross College (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 72.7% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($49,077 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 340 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Holy Cross College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Holy Cross College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Holy Cross College vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $9,955 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross College graduates ($13,170 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross College graduates ($136 vs. $239).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.