Boston University vs College of the Holy Cross
Boston University is a private university in Boston, MA, and College of the Holy Cross is a private college in Worcester, MA. Boston University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 11% of applicants against 18% at College of the Holy Cross. Boston University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $24,402 a year against $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross. About 89% of students graduate at Boston University, compared with 88% at College of the Holy Cross. Ten years after enrolling, College of the Holy Cross alumni earn a median of about $90,543, against $83,238 for Boston University.
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- Is Boston University or College of the Holy Cross harder to get into?
- Boston University is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Boston University or College of the Holy Cross?
- Boston University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $24,402 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Boston University and College of the Holy Cross?
- Before aid, College of the Holy Cross costs about $80,334 a year and Boston University about $86,285. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Boston University or College of the Holy Cross?
- Boston University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,500 there, against about $14,343 at College of the Holy Cross. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Boston University or College of the Holy Cross?
- Boston University is the larger of the two, with about 18,248 undergraduates against 3,106 at College of the Holy Cross.
- Does Boston University or College of the Holy Cross have a better graduation rate?
- Boston University has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 88% at College of the Holy Cross.
- Do graduates of Boston University or College of the Holy Cross earn more?
- College of the Holy Cross alumni earn more on average: a median of about $90,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $83,238 for Boston University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Boston University and College of the Holy Cross require SAT or ACT scores?
- Boston University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. College of the Holy Cross is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Boston University and College of the Holy Cross look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1420–1530 at Boston University and 1240–1410 at College of the Holy Cross. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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