Worcester, MA
College of the Holy Cross is a private nonprofit university with an undergraduate enrollment of 3,106 students and an acceptance rate of 21.1%. The institution has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, a 6-year graduation rate of 88.4%, and an annual cost of attendance of $85,220.
College of the Holy Cross is selective with a 21.1% acceptance rate and an undergraduate enrollment of 3,106 students. The institution maintains a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports an 88.4% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 4,037 | 835 | 20.7% | 385 |
| Women | 4,633 | 994 | 21.5% | 438 |
College of the Holy Cross admits 17.6% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Holy Cross costs $85,220 annually for attendance. With a substantial endowment of $1.1 billion and 14.8% Pell grant recipients, the institution demonstrates commitment to making education accessible across income levels.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $286.
After aid, College of the Holy Cross costs $38,782 a year — about 72% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Holy Cross has a 6-year graduation rate of 88.4% and median earnings of $69,984 six years after enrollment and $90,543 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics, General | 116 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 109 |
| Psychology, General | 101 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 64 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 51 |
| History, General | 46 |
| Chemistry, General | 34 |
| Sociology, General | 34 |
| Mathematics, General | 25 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 25 |
Median earnings eight years after entering College of the Holy Cross are $84,240, and 85% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former College of the Holy Cross students earn $69,984 — 54% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
College of the Holy Cross is a private nonprofit university with an undergraduate enrollment of 3,106 and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The college competes in NCAA Division I-FCS athletics with an athletic revenue of $14.2 million.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
697 of 3,015 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 3,035 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
College of the Holy Cross is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
College of the Holy Cross spends $13,146 per student on research — about 2× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA, in what IPEDS classifies as a midsize city setting. The campus sits about 2.2 miles from the center of Worcester. There are 12 other colleges within 25 miles, and Worcester, MA is 2.2 miles away.
Worcester County scores 9.3 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 10.3% of Worcester's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures College of the Holy Cross reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, College of the Holy Cross reported 65 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about College of the Holy Cross admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Holy Cross has an acceptance rate of 21.1%, making it a selective institution. Admitted students typically demonstrate strong academic credentials and meaningful engagement with the college community.
The cost of attendance at Holy Cross is $85,220 annually. This comprehensive figure includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses for full-time undergraduate students.
Holy Cross has a substantial endowment of $1.1 billion, enabling generous financial aid packages. The college meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students, with 14.8% of students receiving Pell grants.
Holy Cross has a 6-year graduation rate of 88.4%. Notably, Pell grant recipients graduate at an even higher rate of 90.2%, compared to 86.6% for non-Pell students.
Median earnings for Holy Cross graduates are $69,984 six years after enrollment and $90,543 ten years after enrollment, reflecting strong career outcomes and earning potential.
Holy Cross has an undergraduate enrollment of 3,106 students, creating an intimate liberal arts college environment. The 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures close relationships between students and professors.
Women comprise 54% of the student body at Holy Cross. First-generation students make up 16.6% of the undergraduate population, contributing to a diverse campus community.
Holy Cross competes in NCAA Division I-FCS athletics with a robust athletic program. The college invests $14.2 million annually in athletics, supporting numerous varsity sports and student-athlete opportunities.
Holy Cross welcomes 16.6% first-generation students and 14.8% Pell grant recipients. The college's strong financial aid commitment and high graduation rates for low-income students demonstrate its dedication to access and success.
Holy Cross combines a small, selective community (3,106 students) with substantial resources, including a $1.1 billion endowment and 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Its Jesuit Catholic identity emphasizes service, intellectual rigor, and character development alongside strong career outcomes.