Holy Cross College vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Holy Cross College vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky than Holy Cross College ($21,958 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 20.7% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,700 vs. $16,016).
• Holy Cross College is 171.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $23,098 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Holy Cross College than at University of Kentucky (about $2,460 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Holy Cross College (95% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 120.3% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($28,416 vs. $12,898).

Holy Cross College vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 40 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 Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Holy Cross College vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College and Kentucky? 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 Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $375 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross College graduates ($22,750 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross College graduates ($235 vs. $239).
• More Holy Cross College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 62%)

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.