College of the Holy Cross Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
College of the Holy Cross is a private university in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving roughly 3,106 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 17.61% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $90,543 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $64,500
- 2024 Average Net Price: $38,782 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 17.61% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 3,106 100.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 87.33%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 16.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 6.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 89.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1353
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,234
- Applicants (IPEDS): 8,670
- Room & Board: $18,820 annual estimate
College of the Holy Cross: what the data shows
Common questions about College of the Holy Cross, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (ZIP 01610-2395).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is College of the Holy Cross public or private?
College of the Holy Cross is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does College of the Holy Cross cost?
Published tuition: $64,500.
Average net price after aid: $38,782.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,343 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,179 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,682 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $27,711 |
| $110,001+ | $56,284 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $258,000.
How hard is it to get into College of the Holy Cross?
Admission rate: 17.61%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1353 and midpoint ACT 30.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is College of the Holy Cross?
Total enrollment: 3,106 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,234 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Holy Cross?
150%-time completion rate: 87.33%.
First-year retention: 94.8%.
What do graduates of College of the Holy Cross earn?
Median earnings: $69,984 six years after entry; $90,543 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
14.80% of students receive Pell grants.
What is College of the Holy Cross known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Economics, General (128 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (123 completions)
- Psychology, General (114 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (68 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (55 completions)
- History, General (51 completions)
- Sociology, General (40 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (38 completions)
- Chemistry, General (35 completions)
- Mathematics, General (32 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is College of the Holy Cross a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 17.61%; completion rate 87.33%; median earnings $90,543 at 10 years; net price $38,782. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$64,500
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at College of the Holy Cross was $64,500.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$38,782
2024 Value
In 2024 College of the Holy Cross had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $38,782.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$155,128 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$38,782 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$258,000 4-Year Tuition
$18,820 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$84,320 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$337,280 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for College of the Holy Cross.
Financial Aid by Income Level
14.80% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
37.68% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at College of the Holy Cross was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for College of the Holy Cross in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $44,272 | $44,272 | $32,118 |
| 2014 | $45,692 | $45,692 | $32,149 |
| 2015 | $47,176 | $47,176 | $32,040 |
| 2016 | $48,940 | $48,940 | $33,158 |
| 2017 | $50,630 | $50,630 | $34,159 |
| 2018 | $52,770 | $52,770 | $35,692 |
| 2019 | $54,740 | $54,740 | $37,292 |
| 2020 | $54,770 | $54,770 | $35,761 |
| 2021 | $56,540 | $56,540 | $32,990 |
| 2022 | $58,360 | $58,360 | $39,310 |
| 2023 | $60,850 | $60,850 | $36,868 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
17.61% Acceptance Rate
8,670 Total Applicants
1,829 Students Admitted
823 First-Time Students Enrolled
45.00% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1353
ACT Average: 30
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.65
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
College of the Holy Cross reported total enrollment of about 3,106 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (68.3%), Hispanic or Latino (12.8%), and Black or African American (4.7%). About 14.80% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 16.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
100.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at College of the Holy Cross in 2024 is 3,106 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,234 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
94.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 68.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
85.25% 100% Completion Time
87.33% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 85.25% of students graduating from College of the Holy Cross completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Economics, General: 56% male / 44% female
- Political Science and Government, General: 54% male / 46% female
- Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for College of the Holy Cross.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$90,543 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
29.82% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
483.67% Return on Investment
3.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for College of the Holy Cross.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 31 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Economics, General: 128 completions
2. Political Science and Government, General: 123 completions
3. Psychology, General: 114 completions
4. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 68 completions
5. English Language and Literature, General: 55 completions
6. History, General: 51 completions
7. Sociology, General: 40 completions
8. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 38 completions
9. Chemistry, General: 35 completions
Most popular programs at College of the Holy Cross.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for College of the Holy Cross graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for College of the Holy Cross from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 89.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,363
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $24,933
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
College of the Holy Cross is a private non-profit institution located in Worcester, MA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Economics, General, Political Science and Government, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 3,106 students. Student body composition includes White (68.3%), Hispanic or Latino (12.8%), Black or African American (4.7%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 17.61%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1353. The 150%-time completion rate is 87.33%. Approximately 14.80% of students receive Pell Grants. About 16.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Worcester, MA 01610-2395
Region: New England
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 87.33% graduation rate, College of the Holy Cross demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: College of the Holy Cross graduates report median earnings of $90,543 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is College of the Holy Cross located?
College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA.
What is College of the Holy Cross's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at College of the Holy Cross is 17.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 8,670 applicants and 1,829 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does College of the Holy Cross cost?
Reported tuition is $64,500 and average net price is $38,782 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,820 annually.
What is the student body demographics at College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,234 students, White (68.3%), Hispanic or Latino (12.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend College of the Holy Cross?
About 16.6% of students at College of the Holy Cross are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for College of the Holy Cross?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, College of the Holy Cross reports midpoint SAT about 1353 and midpoint ACT about 30.
What do graduates of College of the Holy Cross earn?
Median earnings are $69,984 six years after entry and $90,543 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at College of the Holy Cross?
The 150%-time completion rate is 87.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do College of the Holy Cross students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is College of the Holy Cross public or private?
College of the Holy Cross is a private nonprofit institution located in Worcester, MA.
Is College of the Holy Cross an HBCU?
No. College of the Holy Cross is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is College of the Holy Cross a tribal college?
No. College of the Holy Cross is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Massachusetts college costs
- Massachusetts colleges by ROI
- Worcester, Massachusetts city profile
- New England regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Massachusetts
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.