College of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross)
Private nonprofit four-year college in Worcester, MA that costs an average of $38,829 a year after financial aid, admits 18% of applicants and graduates 86% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitMidsize city3,106 undergraduates
Cost of Holy Cross
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $84,988 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $68,090 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $19,700 |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| Average net price after aid | $38,829 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $9,931 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $5,164 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $18,565 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $24,516 |
| $110,001+ | $58,649 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Holy Cross's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 18% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,353 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 630–710 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 610–700 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 27–32 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 86% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 95% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $74,703 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $100,485 |
| Rank in Massachusetts (earnings) | 10th of 65 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $244 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 16% |
| Students with federal loans | 38% |
Majors and programs at Holy Cross
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (44)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 46 | $82,078 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | 34 | $77,708 | — |
| Economics | 258 | $75,524 | $23,000 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 39 | $59,021 | $25,500 |
| History | 87 | $56,591 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics | 64 | $56,157 | $22,358 |
| Political Science and Government | 252 | $54,462 | $23,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 62 | $51,434 | $23,000 |
| Chemistry | 61 | $51,144 | $18,250 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 41 | $49,260 | $22,082 |
| Psychology | 239 | $47,016 | $23,000 |
| Biology | 117 | $46,673 | $19,375 |
| Sociology | 92 | $45,840 | $24,162 |
| English Language and Literature | 113 | $45,432 | $23,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 18 | $35,473 | — |
| Anthropology | 16 | — | — |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 4 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 20 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 25 | — | — |
| Dance | — | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 15 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 13 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | — | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 19 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 10 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 1 | — | — |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | — | — | — |
| Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Music | 12 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 24 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 33 | — | $25,000 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | 23 | — | — |
| Physics | 30 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | 23 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 1 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 17 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | — | — |
| Statistics | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Massachusetts
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endicott College | Beverly | $39,219 | 71% | $77,059 |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Boston | $43,891 | 85% | $103,156 |
| Babson College | Wellesley | $34,096 | 17% | $138,950 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham | $30,606 | 41% | $85,519 |
| Western New England University | Springfield | $27,077 | 83% | $81,107 |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston | $30,134 | 91% | $94,995 |
| Smith College | Northampton | $25,519 | 21% | $69,936 |
| Stonehill College | Easton | $36,082 | 66% | $84,633 |
About Holy Cross
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Worcester, MA |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 3,106 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 9 to 1 |
| Accreditor | New England Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | holycross.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Holy Cross's acceptance rate?
College of the Holy Cross admits 18% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,353 on the SAT.
How much does Holy Cross cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $84,988 a year (tuition and fees: $68,090). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $38,829 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $9,931.
How much do Holy Cross graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $100,485 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 10th of 65 similar colleges in Massachusetts. The best-paid bachelor's program is accounting and related services ($82,078 a year after graduation).
What is Holy Cross's graduation rate?
86% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 95% of first-year students return for a second year.