Holy Cross College vs. Mount St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Mount St. Mary's University is in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Mount St. Mary's University 13:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University ($22,421 vs. $23,027).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 15.6% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($12,700 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 32.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $12,030 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.9% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Holy Cross College (about $12,030 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at Holy Cross College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 42.9% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($40,619 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross College or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University and Holy Cross College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount St. Mary's University (1160) is 20 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount St. Mary's University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Holy Cross College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University.

Holy Cross College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College and Mount St. Mary's University? 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($23,125 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($239 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.