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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 an urban environment, College of the Holy Cross is a private four-year college. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 17%. The freshman retention rate at College of the Holy Cross is 94.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 87%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is April 1.
Learn more about what College of the Holy Cross has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
3,107
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$67,200
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
87%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Learn some important facts about admission at College of the Holy Cross.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,685 in 2025. 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 student. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 30% and ACT scores 15%. 28% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 58% between 1,200 and 1,399, 11% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 3% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 51, 39 between 24-29, 9 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to College of the Holy Cross is January 15. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is April 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for College of the Holy Cross was 94.7% in 2025, 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. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 87%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best place for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at College of the Holy Cross in 2025 was 3,107.
That year, the institution had 60% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 3,107 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 117 international students. The school admitted a total of 43 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,429 male and 1,677 female full-time students in 2025.
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. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 99 Asian students and 146 Afro-American students in 2025. 399 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 126 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 113 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important data on College of the Holy Cross costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for College of the Holy Cross is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $67,200 in 2025. College of the Holy Cross is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $890 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at College of the Holy Cross was $19,700 in 2025. If you only wanted a dormitory room, you had to pay $11,000 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 67,200 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,700 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 87,900 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for completing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid at College of the Holy Cross.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 363 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $48,472.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,180 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at College of the Holy Cross is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,417. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $3,137,393, and state $868,641.
$22,909
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
214 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 55 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $10,823,326. 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 $1,453,716 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
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at College of the Holy Cross was 9:1. That means that there were 9 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 525 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 334 male and 36 female faculty members.
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 campus life at College of the Holy Cross.
Its campus spans 174 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Counseling Outreach Peer Educators (COPE), 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 (SPUD).
Those who have a talent for music can join the College of the Holy Cross band or chorus. In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. Interested in media and communication? College of the Holy Cross publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At College of the Holy Cross, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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
At College of the Holy Cross, there is both group career counseling for full-time students and individual career counseling for full-time students. There are a library and 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 highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 69,636 USD.
$69,636
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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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for College of the Holy Cross is 67,200 USD, based on the most recent data.
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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 17%.
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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 © 2025 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 © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
