Holy Cross College vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Mary's College is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (1,601 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College ($22,421 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 10.9% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($12,700 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 45.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $16,630 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at St. Mary's College than at Holy Cross College (about $16,630 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Holy Cross College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($38,748 vs. $28,416).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 90 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming St. Mary's 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; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

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

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

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.