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College of the Holy Cross vs Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

College of the Holy Cross is a private college in Worcester, MA, and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private college in Needham, MA. College of the Holy Cross is the more selective of the two, admitting about 18% of applicants against 25% at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $25,171 a year against $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross. About 94% of students graduate at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, compared with 88% at College of the Holy Cross. Ten years after enrolling, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering alumni earn a median of about $129,455, against $90,543 for College of the Holy Cross.

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA · Private

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Needham, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Worcester, MA
Needham, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
3,106
377
Acceptance rate
18%
25%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1240–1410
1493–1558
ACT (middle 50%)
27–32
34–35
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$38,782
$25,171
Full cost / yr
$80,334
$86,474
In-state tuition
$64,500
$66,398
Out-of-state tuition
$64,500
$66,398
Application fee
$60
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$14,343
Not reported
$30k - $48k
$16,179
$3,100
$48k - $75k
$12,682
$9,528
$75k - $110k
$27,711
$12,271
Over $110k
$56,284
$27,096
Outcomes
Graduation rate
88%
94%
Freshman retention
95%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$69,984
$105,483
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,543
$129,455
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$19,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
12%
First-generation students
17%
Not reported
International students
3%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Dec 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is College of the Holy Cross or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering harder to get into?
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 25% at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, College of the Holy Cross or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is cheaper on average. Students pay about $25,171 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 College of the Holy Cross and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Before aid, College of the Holy Cross costs about $80,334 a year and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering about $86,474. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is bigger, College of the Holy Cross or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
College of the Holy Cross is the larger of the two, with about 3,106 undergraduates against 377 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering.
Does College of the Holy Cross or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering have a better graduation rate?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 88% at College of the Holy Cross.
Do graduates of College of the Holy Cross or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering earn more?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering alumni earn more on average: a median of about $129,455 ten years after enrolling, against about $90,543 for College of the Holy Cross. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do College of the Holy Cross and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering require SAT or ACT scores?
College of the Holy Cross is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do College of the Holy Cross and Franklin W Olin College of Engineering look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1240–1410 at College of the Holy Cross and 1493–1558 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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