Holy Cross College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Holy Cross College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($22,421 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 34.9% lower than at Oberlin College ($12,700 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 84.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $30,766 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.1% higher at Oberlin than at Holy Cross College (about $30,766 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Holy Cross College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($35,780 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 300 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Oberlin 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; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Holy Cross College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Holy Cross College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Oberlin College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,454 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($23,125 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($239 vs. $274).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.