Holy Cross College vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Holy Cross College vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than Holy Cross College ($14,416 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Holy Cross College are 10.9% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,700 vs. $14,252).
• Holy Cross College is 140.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $21,410 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Holy Cross College than at Wayne State University (about $4,563 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Holy Cross College (98% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 119.4% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($28,416 vs. $12,953).

Holy Cross College vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) 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 WSU.

Holy Cross College vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wayne State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University 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, Wayne State University graduates have a $867 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross College graduates ($22,258 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross College graduates ($230 vs. $239).
• More Holy Cross College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 38%)

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.