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College of the Holy Cross vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology

College of the Holy Cross is a private college in Worcester, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institute in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits about 5% of applicants and College of the Holy Cross about 18%, making Massachusetts Institute of Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $20,111 a year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after aid, and about $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross. About 96% of students graduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared with 88% at College of the Holy Cross. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $143,372, against $90,543 for College of the Holy Cross.

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College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA · Private

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Worcester, MA
Cambridge, MA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
3,106
4,535
Acceptance rate
18%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1240–1410
1520–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
27–32
34–36
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$38,782
$20,111
Full cost / yr
$80,334
$82,730
In-state tuition
$64,500
$62,396
Out-of-state tuition
$64,500
$62,396
Application fee
$60
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$14,343
$0*
$30k - $48k
$16,179
$93
$48k - $75k
$12,682
$1,480
$75k - $110k
$27,711
$11,555
Over $110k
$56,284
$48,479
Outcomes
Graduation rate
88%
96%
Freshman retention
95%
99%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$69,984
$131,633
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,543
$143,372
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$14,768
Student body
Pell grant recipients
15%
19%
First-generation students
17%
26%
International students
3%
12%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 4

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology harder to get into?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 5% 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, College of the Holy Cross or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $20,111 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Before aid, College of the Holy Cross costs about $80,334 a year and Massachusetts Institute of Technology about $82,730. 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, College of the Holy Cross or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,533 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, College of the Holy Cross or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the larger of the two, with about 4,535 undergraduates against 3,106 at College of the Holy Cross.
Does College of the Holy Cross or Massachusetts Institute of Technology have a better graduation rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 88% at College of the Holy Cross.
Do graduates of College of the Holy Cross or Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $143,372 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology require SAT or ACT scores?
College of the Holy Cross is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do College of the Holy Cross and Massachusetts Institute of Technology look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1240–1410 at College of the Holy Cross and 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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