Holy Cross College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State ($22,421 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 1.1% lower than at Holy Cross College ($12,564 vs. $12,700).
• Holy Cross College is 122.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $20,142 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at Michigan State than at Holy Cross College (about $7,242 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at Holy Cross College (88% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 191.4% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($28,416 vs. $9,750).

Holy Cross College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 130 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Holy Cross College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Holy Cross College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $2,359 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($239 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.