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College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA·Private·www.holycross.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake LifeNCAA D1Greek Life

College of the Holy Cross is a mid-size private nonprofit college in Worcester, MA. Approximately 3,106 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 18% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Wachusett Reservoir, just 8 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 18 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 43/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

College of the Holy Cross is a mid-size private nonprofit college in Worcester, MA. Approximately 3,106 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 18% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Wachusett Reservoir, just 8 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 18 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 43/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

18%
Acceptance Rate
9,568 applications
30
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 27–32
$64,500
2024-25 Tuition
$38,782
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
N/A
Room & Board
99 meals/week
3,106
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
50%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
87%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity18% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

630670710

SAT Math

610670700

Campus Lifestyle

College of the Holy Cross is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 8 miles from Ski Ward Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D1

Patriot League

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Ski Access

8 miles

Ski Ward Ski Area

Weather

Cold Climate

41°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

College of the Holy Cross students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Ski Ward Ski Area, 8 miles away with 4 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 28 miles of campus.

Ski Ward Ski Area

Massachusetts

8 mi away
45 skiable acres4 lifts
18 mi away
125 skiable acres8 liftsNo Waffle Cabin
28 mi away
52 skiable acres10 lifts

Lake Life Campus

Wachusett Reservoir is 8 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving College of the Holy Cross students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Wachusett Reservoir

Lake access within 7.5 miles

8 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Worcester, MA

Worcester has a cool climate, with winters averaging 25°F in Jan and summers peaking around 71°F in Jul.

25°Jan27°Feb35°Mar46°Apr57°May65°Jun71°Jul69°Aug62°Sep51°Oct40°Nov31°Dec

Station: WORCESTER REGIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

College of the Holy Cross in MA earns a composite safety score of 43/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

43/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety395338
39/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
53/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
38/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$64,500
Fees
$740
Total
$65,240
App Fee: $60
Meal Plan: 99 meals/week
$38,782avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

44 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

EconomicsBachelor's
130 grads/yr$118,131
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
129 grads/yr$88,088
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
125 grads/yr$74,095
English Language and Literature, GeneralBachelor's
58 grads/yr$74,214
SociologyBachelor's
52 grads/yr$64,642

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Economics
Bachelor's130 grads$118,131
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's25 grads$114,088
Physics
Bachelor's13 grads$99,165
Mathematics
Bachelor's32 grads$96,927
Chemistry
Bachelor's26 grads$93,122
Biology, General
Bachelor's49 grads$92,914
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's129 grads$88,088
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Bachelor's35 grads$76,301
English Language and Literature, General
Bachelor's58 grads$74,214
Psychology, General
Bachelor's125 grads$74,095

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is College of the Holy Cross located?

College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA. The main campus address is One College Street, Worcester, MA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at College of the Holy Cross?

College of the Holy Cross has an acceptance rate of 18%, making it highly selective. Out of 9,568 applicants, 1,685 were admitted in the most recent year. 3,106 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for College of the Holy Cross?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at College of the Holy Cross scored between 27 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 30. About 15% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend College of the Holy Cross?

For the 2024-25 academic year, College of the Holy Cross charges $64,500/year in tuition. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $56,540/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,782/year — what students actually pay. Use College of the Holy Cross's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for College of the Holy Cross?

The undergraduate application fee at College of the Holy Cross is $60. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does College of the Holy Cross have college sports?

Yes — College of the Holy Cross competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Patriot League. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is College of the Holy Cross the right fit for me?

Whether College of the Holy Cross is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (18% admit rate), avg net price ($38,782/year after aid), campus culture in Worcester, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh College of the Holy Cross against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with College of the Holy Cross directly for the most current information.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Worcester, MA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Patriot League
School Year Weather
Cold · 41°F avg
App Fee
$60
On Campus Safety Score
43/100
Nearest Airport
Worcester, MA (ORH) · 4 mialso BED (31 mi), OWD (33 mi)

Location

Worcester, MA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.