Holy Cross College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Holy Cross College ($21,765 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 1.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,700 vs. $12,920).
• Holy Cross College is 224.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $25,317 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Holy Cross College than at University of Iowa (about $3,229 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at Holy Cross College (76% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 188% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($28,416 vs. $9,865).

Holy Cross College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 90 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 Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Holy Cross College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,509 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross College graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross College graduates ($223 vs. $239).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.