Academic Comparison between Holy Cross and Salem State

College of the Holy Cross and Salem State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Holy Cross is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Worcester, MA and Salem State is a four-year, public school located in Salem, MA.

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.

  • Holy Cross is a private (not-for-profit) and Salem State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Holy Cross has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,500) than Salem State ($19,531).
  • It is harder to admit to Holy Cross than Salem State.
  • Salem State has more students with 6,230 students while Holy Cross has 3,126 students.
  • Holy Cross has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Salem State's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Holy Cross has more full-time faculties with 313 faculties while Salem State has 296 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

College of the Holy Crossvs.Salem State University
Worcester, MassachusettsLocationSalem, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$64,5002025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,338
Out-Of-State$19,531
61%% Receiving Financial Aid72%
$42,409Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,493
17.61 %Acceptance Rates95.88 %
49.55 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.25 %
1,340SAT Score-
30ACT Score-
87 %Graduation Rate50 %
6 %Transfer-out Rate-
95 %Retention Rate75 %
3,126Student Population6,230
313Number of Faculties296
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services