Overview
Worcester, MA College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Worcester, Massachusetts. There are currently 3,062 undergraduates at Holy Cross and the school’s acceptance rate is 36%. The tuition at Holy Cross is $58,360.
Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Holy Cross to help you make an educated decision.
Liberal Arts
City
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$76,880
$37,570
$39,310
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$76,880for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Holy Cross is $76,880. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Holy Cross would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
College of the Holy Cross Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Holy Cross need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Holy Cross is 002141 and the CSS Profile Code is 3282.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Holy Cross
Massachusetts residents who are considering Holy Cross should be sure to look into state grants to help fund your education. Massachusetts has a wide variety of programs, including the need-based tuition waiver program, the MASSGrant, the Massachusetts Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program, and MCAS Scholarships. The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which is for students who performed well on the MCAS, offers a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of public school.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Massachusetts scholarships
College of the Holy Cross QuestBridge Scholarships
Holy Cross is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to College of the Holy Cross through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Pell Grants at College of the Holy Cross
15% of students at College of the Holy Cross receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to College of the Holy Cross.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Holy Cross students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
College of the Holy Cross Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Holy Cross or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 508-793-2265
Admissions
36%
30
Coalition Colleges
Holy Cross is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Holy Cross via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Is Holy Cross test-optional?
College of the Holy Cross is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Holy Cross?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Holy Cross during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Holy Cross students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Holy Cross?
Applying to Holy Cross with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
10:1
Graduation Rate
91%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
30%
30% of graduates
Psychology
16%
16% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
English Language & Literature
7%
7% of graduates
History
7%
7% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Mathematics
5%
5% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
4%
4% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
3,062
Pell Grant 16%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 45% / 55%
Ethnic Diversity at Holy Cross
71% White
12% Hispanic
4% Asian / Pacific Islander
4% Black
3% Multiracial
3% Unknown
3% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$90,543
Median Debt $27,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $286
Graduation Rate 91%
What is the graduation rate at College of the Holy Cross?
91% of students who start at College of the Holy Cross end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 33% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of College of the Holy Cross go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at College of the Holy Cross, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $90,543. This is $40,152 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Holy Cross take out in loans?
Graduates of Holy Cross have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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