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#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Holy Cross Admission Requirements

Worcester, Massachusetts

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Your chances of getting into College of the Holy Cross

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

36.4%
Admission Difficulty for College of the Holy Cross
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Holy Cross is 36.4%.  Its admission rate is the 13th lowest in Massachusetts and the 141st lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Holy Cross and can you get accepted?

Holy Cross is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,558 out of the 7,036 who applied were admitted.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 35% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Holy Cross?

36% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to College of the Holy Cross you should:

  • Score 1350 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Holy Cross GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

College of the Holy Cross has not reported high school GPA data for its accepted students.

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Holy Cross SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to College of the Holy Cross. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 35% of students submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1260-1430

Applicants Submitting SAT 

35%
SAT Scores for College of the Holy Cross
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 640
Math 25th Percentile 620
Composite 25th Percentile 1260
SAT Scores for College of the Holy Cross
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 720
Math 75th Percentile 710
Composite 75th Percentile 1430
Average SAT Score 1350

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to College of the Holy Cross?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Holy Cross is 1350 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1260-1430. Students who get into College of the Holy Cross score in the top 17 percent of all SAT test takers..  Holy Cross ranks #16 in the state of Massachusetts and #133 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1350 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Holy Cross regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1260 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1260, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1170, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

College of the Holy Cross is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1350 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1345, you have around a 36% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 52% chance of getting in.

College of the Holy Cross admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1430 and Above Good >52%
1345 to 1430 Avg + 36%-52%
1260 to 1345 Avg - 23%-36%
1175 to 1260 Reach 13%-23%
Less than 1175 Low <13%
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Holy Cross ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

19%
ACT Scores for College of the Holy Cross
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 28
Math 25th Percentile 25
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for College of the Holy Cross
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Holy Cross?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Holy Cross is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 32.  The school ranks #19 in Massachusetts and #127 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

19 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to College of the Holy Cross.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as College of the Holy Cross is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Holy Cross for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 36% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 52% with a 32 ACT score.

College of the Holy Cross admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >52%
30 to 32 Avg + 36%-52%
28 to 30 Avg - 23%-36%
26 to 28 Reach 13%-23%
Less than 26 Low <13%
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High School Class Rank

80% of College of the Holy Cross freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted College of the Holy Cross students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 43%
Top 25% of class 80%
Top 50% of class 98%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

College of the Holy Cross admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,668 3,368 7,036
Accepted 1,381 1,177 2,558
Acceptance Rate 38% 35% 36%
Enrolled 497 406 903
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 36% 34% 35%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

55

Applicants have 55 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to College of the Holy Cross is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to College of the Holy Cross and what student information is used for admission decisions?

College of the Holy Cross Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at College of the Holy Cross
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to College of the Holy Cross often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166124 IPEDS survey data for College of the Holy Cross.

Last updated February 24, 2024