College of the Holy Cross

9/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Worcester, MA
0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

3,126

Location Worcester, Massachusetts
Website holycross.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic

Best Colleges Rank

#79

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, approximately 45 miles west of Boston, the College of the Holy Cross is a private Jesuit liberal arts institution situated on a hillside campus known for its Gothic Revival architecture. Founded in 1843, Holy Cross maintains its position as one of the oldest Catholic colleges in New England and operates as a highly selective undergraduate-only institution. The college offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum with notable strengths in classics, economics, political science, and pre-medical studies, while requiring all students to live on campus for their entire undergraduate career. The campus spans 174 acres featuring traditional stone buildings and modern academic facilities, with its hilltop location offering views of the Worcester skyline. Holy Cross competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Crusaders, primarily through the Patriot League conference.

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Ratings

Holy Cross is rated within the top 17% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.

Overall Rating

9 out of 10
Academics

9 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

9 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for College of the Holy Cross within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#79
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#72
Best Colleges in Massachusetts

#10
Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

#10
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#148
Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts

#15

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Very High

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1240/1410
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 27/32

Acceptance Rate

17.6%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 49.6%
Application Fee $60

Applicant Competition Very High

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$64,500

Costs for College of the Holy Cross
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$64,500
Books and Supplies		$1,000
Other Fees		$850
Room and Board		$18,820
Budget for Other Expenses		$900
Total One Year Cost		$86,070

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$80,400 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

91% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at College of the Holy Cross are Social Sciences, Psychology, and English and Literature. 33% of students major in Social Sciences, 11% in Psychology, and 11% in English and Literature.