Acceptance Rate
18%
Avg. SAT
1410
75th percentile
“Holy Cross turns Jesuit rigor into a gritty, spirited liberal arts crucible where you'll debate philosophy by day and cheer football frenzy by night in unpretentious Worcester.”
Worcester, MA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Founded in 1843 as New England's first Catholic college by Jesuit priests on a hilltop overlooking Worcester, Holy Cross carries a legacy of intellectual grit shaped by its namesake—a relic of the True Cross enshrined in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. You'll thrive here if you're a driven, service-minded student who craves close-knit camaraderie amid rigorous demands, but expect tradeoffs: the urban Worcester setting means no idyllic campus bubble, with city bustle, gray winters, and a working-class vibe far from Boston's polish. The school's personality pulses with unyielding Crusader pride—fiercely loyal alumni, a no-nonsense Jesuit ethos emphasizing 'men and women for others,' and a compact campus where everyone knows your name. Worcester, the 'Heart of the Commonwealth,' offers affordable off-campus eats and biotech buzz but lacks the glamour of Cambridge, demanding you embrace its revitalizing grit over suburban escape.
Photo Gallery
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Holy Cross's seminar-style classrooms, where the 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know you by name from day one, you'll dissect Plato in intimate groups of 20 or tackle lab research alongside mentors in neuroscience or environmental studies. The Jesuit core curriculum weaves ethics and social justice through every major, fueling standout programs in classics (one of the nation's best, with students reading Homer in ancient Greek), economics, and pre-health tracks that boast top med school placement. Undergrads snag funded summer research early, but the pace is relentless—no hand-holding for the unmotivated—and humanities dominate over niche STEM, so tech enthusiasts might feel underserved compared to nearby MIT.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
3,126 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
71%
Black / African American
4%
Hispanic / Latino
12%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Worcester, MA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Picture your week: Monday philosophy seminar, Tuesday club fair amid 140+ organizations, Thursday volunteer shift via the renowned Montserrat living-learning communities that turn dorms into themed intellectual havens fostering lifelong bonds. Social life revolves around spirited Division I athletics—tailgates for the Holy War football clash with Boston College draw 20,000 fans—and traditions like the boisterous Purple Passion Parade or Montmartre arts fest, all without Greek life since its 1995 ban, shifting energy to inclusive house parties and campus bars. The vibe is tight-knit and intense, with 98% living on campus in modern halls, but Worcester's chill winters and occasional rowdy weekends test your adaptability—no vast party scene like state schools, yet profound service trips build character amid the occasional homesickness.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Athletics
Athletic Association
Patriot League
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
No
Navy
Yes
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$9,920
$30K – $48K
$8,438
$48K – $75K
$14,574
$75K – $110K
$26,423
$110K+
$43,935
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
95%
4 Years Graduation Rate
92%
6 Years Graduation Rate
93%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$90,543
95% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at College of the Holy Cross and return in the fall. 92% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 93% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
92%
4-6 years
1%
Non-grad
7%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$57,600
Acceptance
18%
Undergrads
3,126
4-Year Grad Rate
92%
Endowment
$635M
Worcester, MA 01610-2395