College of the Holy Cross

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA, USA

Founded by Jesuits, the College of the Holy Cross is a liberal arts college in Worcester and the oldest Roman Catholic school in New England. Holy Cross confers bachelor’s degrees in 30 academic fields of study and is also home to 10 student-designed majors. As a Jesuit institution, Holy Cross schedules Catholic masses every day of the school year and sponsors regular retreats including an LGBTQ Retreat. The college also encourages students to get involved in the surrounding area through its Student Programs for Urban Development community service organization.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Roman Catholic
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
43%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted.November 15
Fall Regular DecisionJanuary 15May 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
43%
Out-Of-State Students
61%
19%
Submitting ACT
40%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 32
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1328
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Bachelor's
Total Number of Students
3,029
Total Number of Undergrads
3,029
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
58%
20-39 Students
39%
40-99 Students
1%
0
100
87%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
90%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
10:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$37,292
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$58,360
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$58,360
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$16,620
Books and Supplies
$1000

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Aid Per Year
$39,417
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,877
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$36,910

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
49%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,407
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$27,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$270

Majors

Majors Overview

Majors
55

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
46%
54%
Student Organizations
108
Size of Town
Small city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

0
100
87%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Crusaders
School Colors
purple and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Patriot League

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Boston
New York
Washington
Chicago
Hartford
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
58%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$84,653

What Students Are Saying

I applied to the Ivy League like any other hopeful high school grad, but I couldn't be happier at Holy Cross. The academics are rigorous and rewarding and as a small, private college the professors are there to help you and make an effort to know you're name; you're not just a number in a lecture hall. The intimate classes have an excellent learning atmosphere and the overall feel of the college is both gorgeous and alive with constant Happenings on the Hill and endless opportunities for both the social butterfly and the academic bookworm.
Student from MA
Holy Cross is truly an academically rigorous liberal arts school that was ranked by Forbes #27 in best colleges and universities in 2011 and #41 in 2012. Our motto at Holy Cross is men and women for others because all students strive to help people through community service. Also you will have lasting lifelong friendships among your classmates because the students are so fun, kind, and friendly.
Kody from Mount Arlington, NJ
Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Holy Cross is a welcoming community based of Jesuit values. The students are engaged in their classes as well as the outside community and are always working to become more well-rounded and worldly people. Although small, the college is a setting that fosters growth in every aspect of a student's life.
Hunter from Oro Valley, AZ
Holy Cross in my eyes is one of the best schools in the country. It isn't called a small Ivy or known as a Catholic Ivy for no reason. I've never heard of anyone regretting going to Holy Cross or wishing they went to another school, you can't go wrong with Holy Cross.
Cassandra, from MA
Holy Cross provides students with an amazing Jesuit liberal arts education. With their focus on the whole person, I have been able to explore my interests both in the classroom and outside. The support from faculty, staff, professors and friends is something I will never forget from my time here on the Hill.
A Current Junior
Attending Holy Cross is perfect for someone who does not like huge crowds of people or rowdy events. Holy Cross offers great programs, excellent professors and fun weekend events. Getting around campus is a good workout too, with the hills!
J from upstate NY
I love Holy Cross. I've only been at the school for a little over a month, but I already bleed purple! It's safe to say, I'm a little obsessed.
Meghan