College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA
The College of the Holy Cross, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a highly esteemed liberal arts college with a rich history and a strong commitment to intellectual and personal growth. Founded in 1843, it was the first Catholic college in New England and has since become a leading institution in the Jesuit tradition. Holy Cross offers its students a rigorous academic curriculum, promoting critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and ethical leadership. With a tight-knit community of approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, Holy Cross provides a supportive and engaging environment where students are encouraged to explore their interests and develop a well-rounded education.
Holy Cross is renowned for its strong liberal arts education, offering 30 majors and 35 minors across a wide range of disciplines. The college emphasizes small class sizes and close faculty-student interaction, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Students benefit from the exceptional faculty, who are committed to both teaching and research, and the college's dedication to hands-on learning experiences such as internships, research opportunities, and study abroad programs. Holy Cross also takes pride in its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, fostering a community where students from all backgrounds can thrive.
The campus itself is known for its picturesque beauty, featuring stunning gothic-style architecture and an inviting atmosphere. The college offers a vibrant and active campus life, with a variety of clubs, organizations, and student-led initiatives. Holy Cross' athletic programs are highly competitive, with the Crusaders competing in Division I of the NCAA, and the college boasts a strong alumni network that provides valuable post-graduation opportunities and support for students' future careers. Overall, the College of the Holy Cross offers an exceptional educational experience, preparing students to become well-rounded, engaged, and thoughtful leaders in their chosen fields.
Located in Worcester, MA and set in a suburban environment, College of the Holy Cross is a private four-year college. Its campus spans 174 acres. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 36%. The freshman retention rate at College of the Holy Cross is 94.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 91%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is April 1.
Here are some recent information on important things to consider about College of the Holy Cross.
Quick Facts
3,233
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
36%
Acceptance Rate
$60,050
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
91%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Learn some essential facts about admission policy and requirements at College of the Holy Cross.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,558 in 2023. College of the Holy Cross has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, College of the Holy Cross provides a superior educational experience.
Test Scores
35% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 19% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 35% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 54% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 11% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 59, 36 between 24-29 and 5 in the range between 18-23.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 669 and an average SAT Math score of 675.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is April 1.
36%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for College of the Holy Cross was 94.7%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 91%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the institution enrolled 3,233 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 61% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 3,233, 112 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 10 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,437 male and 1,773 female full-time students in 2023, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 118, while the number of Black American students was 121. 377 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 103 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 94 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at College of the Holy Cross that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at College of the Holy Cross? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $60,050 in 2023. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $800 in 2023.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,000.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At College of the Holy Cross, the 2023 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,750. If you only needed a dormitory room, it cost $9,900 for the 2023 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $9,900.
Tuition | $ 60,050 |
Room and Board | $ 17,750 |
Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
Total Expense | $ 78,800 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for completing your studies. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at College of the Holy Cross, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 406 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $45,974.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,238 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at College of the Holy Cross is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 1,495. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $2,548,442, and state $790,950.
$21,323
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 289 students overall (including freshmen) at College of the Holy Cross in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 63 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $10,118,386. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,584,218 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2023, this ratio at College of the Holy Cross was 10:1. That means that there were 10 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 350 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 173 male and 177 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at College of the Holy Cross.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about students' life at College of the Holy Cross.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
This school has 108 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Habitat for Humanity, followed by Black Student Union and Student Government Association. Other popular student organizations at this school are Campus Activities Board and Student Programs for Urban Development.
Students interested in music can join the College of the Holy Cross band or chorus. For individuals with a passion for acting, there is a drama club available. For students interested in media and communication, College of the Holy Cross publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
College of the Holy Cross provides a number of services necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at College of the Holy Cross is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at College of the Holy Cross.
Career Counselling
There are job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for full-time students only. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to full-time undergraduates only at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 66,091 USD.
$66,091
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA.
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College of the Holy Cross offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for College of the Holy Cross is 60,050 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for College of the Holy Cross is 36%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for College of the Holy Cross is 94.7%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.