Holy Cross College vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Erie Behrend College is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (3,336 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College ($22,421 vs. $23,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 12.3% lower than at Penn State Erie Behrend College ($12,700 vs. $14,474).
• Holy Cross College is 129.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $20,628 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at Holy Cross College than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $9,642 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Erie Behrend College than at Holy Cross College (76% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 164.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($28,416 vs. $10,760).

Holy Cross College vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross College or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Holy Cross College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Erie Behrend College (1220) is 80 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Erie-Behrend College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Holy Cross College vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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).

• Penn State Erie Behrend College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,693 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($23,125 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($239 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.