Holy Cross College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Holy Cross College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or SPU? 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 SPU ($22,421 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 23% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($12,700 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holy Cross College (about $3,807 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at SPU than at Holy Cross College (about $3,807 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $36,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Holy Cross College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Holy Cross College students ($31,558 vs. $28,416).

Holy Cross College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 50 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Holy Cross College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $2,478 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($239 vs. $264).
• More SPU 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.