Academic Comparison between Holy Cross and BU

College of the Holy Cross and Boston University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, private (not-for-profit) and located in Massachusetts

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Both schools are four-year, private (not-for-profit) schools.
  • BU has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,102) than Holy Cross ($64,500).
  • It is harder to admit to BU than Holy Cross.
  • BU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,340) than Holy Cross (1,340).
  • BU has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Holy Cross (30).
  • BU has more students with 37,737 students while Holy Cross has 3,126 students.
  • Holy Cross has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while BU's ratio is 10 to 1.
  • BU has more full-time faculties with 3,236 faculties while Holy Cross has 313 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

College of the Holy Crossvs.Boston University
Worcester, MassachusettsLocationBoston, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$64,5002025 Tuition & Fees$68,102
61%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$42,409Average Amount of Financial Aid$54,501
17.61 %Acceptance Rates11.11 %
49.55 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)37.35 %
1,340SAT Score1,480
30ACT Score33
87 %Graduation Rate89 %
6 %Transfer-out Rate-
95 %Retention Rate95 %
3,126Student Population37,737
313Number of Faculties3,236
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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