College of the Holy Cross: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Worcester, Massachusetts · Private nonprofit · Highly selective · CDS 2024-2025
Or open College of the Holy Cross in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.
College of the Holy Cross is a private nonprofit university in Worcester, Massachusetts that admits about 18% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. The average family pays about $38,782 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Economics and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
College of the Holy Cross is a private institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, College of the Holy Cross admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 18%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1353 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,782 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for College of the Holy Cross?
Most admitted students at College of the Holy Cross present unweighted GPAs in the 3.85–4.0 range with five or more AP or honors courses across high school.
SAT and ACT scores College of the Holy Cross typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1353 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 27 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
How much does College of the Holy Cross actually cost?
Published tuition is $64,500 for in-state students and $64,500 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,820 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $38,782 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 15% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $38,782 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for College of the Holy Cross
Most popular majors at College of the Holy Cross
The most popular undergraduate programs at College of the Holy Cross, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Economics and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, College of the Holy Cross confers roughly 627 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $63,311 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 132 | $63,311 |
| Economics | 128 | $118,102 |
| Political Science and Government | 110 | $82,765 |
| History | 65 | $75,084 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 57 | $81,948 |
| Biology, General | 50 | $79,688 |
| Mathematics | 48 | $105,706 |
| Sociology | 37 | $68,340 |
Is College of the Holy Cross safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), College of the Holy Cross disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
Next steps for College of the Holy Cross
Common questions parents ask about College of the Holy Cross
What GPA do I need for College of the Holy Cross?
Most admitted students at College of the Holy Cross present unweighted GPAs in the 3.85–4.0 range with five or more AP or honors courses across high school.
What SAT or ACT score does College of the Holy Cross typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32.
How much does College of the Holy Cross actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at College of the Holy Cross after grants and scholarships is $38,782 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $64,500. Budget against the net figure.
Is College of the Holy Cross realistic for my child?
College of the Holy Cross admits 18% of applicants, so 610–700 SAT Math is target range and below 610 is a reach. Then check the $38,782 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross accepts about 18% of applicants. That makes it a highly selective school.
Is College of the Holy Cross a public or private school, and where is it located?
College of the Holy Cross is a private nonprofit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at College of the Holy Cross?
The largest undergraduate majors at College of the Holy Cross by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Economics and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 627 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is College of the Holy Cross safe? What is its campus crime rate?
College of the Holy Cross reported 7 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by College of the Holy Cross, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers