College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA · Midsize city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 17.6%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 8,670
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,829
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 823
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 45%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 21%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 21%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 630–710
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 610–700
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 27–32
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 35% / 19%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $80,334
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $64,500
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $64,500
- Median debt at graduation
- $27,000
- Students with federal loans
- 38%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 87%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 95%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $48,020
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $90,543
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 3,106
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 9 : 1
- Women
- 54%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 15%
- Full-time faculty
- 89%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Vincent D. Rougeau
- Main phone
- (508) 793-2011
- Address
- One College Street, Worcester, MA 01610-2395
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 15 | December 15 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 15 | February 15 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | mid-March |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir
- Application fee
- $65 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 teacher
- Interview
- evaluative optional
Testing: Scores completely optional; superscores SAT/ACT
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Full tuition grant for family income of $100,000 or less with reasonable assets
Early rounds & waitlist (2023-2024)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 67.1% (511 of 761)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 3,700 / 1,572 / 42
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2023-2024: holycross.edu, holycross.edu, holycross.edu, holycross.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.