College of the Holy Cross campus

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Holy Cross Admission Requirements

  • 9/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Worcester, MA
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#10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
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Holy Cross Admission Overview

Holy Cross admission requirements are very highly competitive. Last year Holy Cross admitted 17.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1240-1410 / ACT 27-32. Holy Cross is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Holy Cross Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

17.6%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for College of the Holy Cross

Acceptance Rate

The Holy Cross acceptance rate is 17.6%. Last year, only 1,685 of 9,568 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 67th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Holy Cross is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 50% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Holy Cross GPA

Holy Cross considers GPA but does not publish an average for enrolled freshmen. Check the school's site for current practice.

Holy Cross SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1240-1410

Freshmen who sent SAT

30%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 630
  • Math 610
  • Composite 1240
SAT 25th percentile scores for College of the Holy Cross

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 710
  • Math 700
  • Composite 1410
SAT 75th percentile scores for College of the Holy Cross

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Holy Cross typically score around a 1330 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1410) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. Holy Cross ranks #19 in the state of Massachusetts and #172 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1410

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1240–1410 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Holy Cross is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1330 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at College of the Holy Cross
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1410+ Above 75th >29%
1330 to 1410 Avg + 19%-29%
1240 to 1330 Avg - 10%-19%
Below 1240 Below mid-50 <10%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Holy Cross ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

27-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

15%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 25
  • Math 25
  • Composite 27
ACT 25th percentile scores for College of the Holy Cross

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 34
  • Math 29
  • Composite 32
ACT 75th percentile scores for College of the Holy Cross

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Holy Cross typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Holy Cross places #20 among colleges in Massachusetts and #176 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 27–32 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Holy Cross without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at College of the Holy Cross
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
32+ Above 75th >32%
29 to 32 Avg + 18%-32%
27 to 29 Avg - 12%-18%
Below 27 Below mid-50 <12%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Holy Cross chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

College of the Holy Cross admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,084 4,481 9,568
Accepted 890 794 1,685
Acceptance Rate 18% 18% 18%
Enrolled 460 374 835
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 52% 47% 50%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at College of the Holy Cross
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Holy Cross is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 17.6% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1410); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

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

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=166124.

GPA calculator: College of the Holy Cross GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026