IIT vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Institute of Technology is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (8,834 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

IIT vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT or Holy Cross? 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than Holy Cross ($24,796 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Institute of Technology are 7.8% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($17,356 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IIT (about $12,114 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.1% higher at Holy Cross than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $12,114 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at College of the Holy Cross (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 0.5% larger than aid received by College of the Holy Cross students ($44,547 vs. $44,334).

IIT vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 20 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming IIT students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Holy Cross (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• IIT has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

IIT vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT and Holy Cross? 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).

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than IIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $79,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois Institute of Technology graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, IIT graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IIT students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.