College of the Holy Cross vs Duquesne
College of the Holy Cross and Duquesne University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Holy Cross, a Jesuit college in Worcester, Massachusetts, boasts a lower acceptance rate (33%) compared to Duquesne's 73% in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Holy Cross students primarily pursue degrees in the social sciences, while Duquesne students favor business, health professions, and engineering. Holy Cross's student body is predominantly white (73%) and Catholic (53%), while Duquesne's is more diverse, with a larger international student population. Holy Cross graduates enjoy a higher graduation rate (92%) than Duquesne's 79%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() College of the Holy Cross |
![]() Duquesne University |
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Overview |
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Location | Worcester, Massachusetts | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 84.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 42.9% | 84.3% |
Application fees | $60 | |
SAT range | 1240 - 1420 | 1140 - 1310 |
ACT range | 28 - 32 | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 40.0% | 34.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,498 | 10,512 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,786 | 8,857 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 821 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 29.5% | 13.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,520 | $61,270 |
Average net price | $29,198 | $34,505 |
Tuition | $55,800 | $43,526 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,800
Meal plan:
$7,280
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Room/dormitory:
$7,774
Meal plan:
$6,370
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
63.0%
Average amount $33,661 |
100.0%
Average amount $24,056 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
38.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,367 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $2,342 |
18.0%
Average amount $19,923 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,029
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
5,085
Men 36.5% Women 63.5% |
Graduate students | N/A |
3,215
Men 33.0% Women 67.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 26.0% |
International students | 3.1% | 5.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,619 | 3,243 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Pennsylvania New York Ohio New Jersey Maryland |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 92.6% | 78.3% |
Dropout rate | 1.8% | 21.2% |
Transferred out | 4.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
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