Holy Cross College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Holy Cross College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (661 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Holy Cross College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College than Holy Cross College ($21,322 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 16.6% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($12,700 vs. $15,230).
• Holy Cross College is 39.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $10,440 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.9% higher at Holy Cross College than at Sweet Briar College (about $10,440 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Holy Cross College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($28,416 vs. $22,387).

Holy Cross College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross College or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College and Holy Cross College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 70 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Holy Cross College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College and Sweet Briar 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Holy Cross College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holy Cross College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.