Worcester, MAprivate nonprofitholycross.edu
The College of the Holy Cross is a fiercely selective Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts, where intellectual rigor meets tight-knit community. With an 18% acceptance rate and a 90% four-year graduation rate, Holy Cross combines the academic heft of a top-tier liberal arts college with the spirited traditions of a small, residential campus. Its alumni earn median salaries $26,000 above the national average—proof that its blend of humanities depth and pre-professional savvy pays off.
Holy Cross is highly selective, with an 18% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross-2141/applying), [PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/College-of-the-Holy-Cross-sat-scores-GPA)). The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1250–1410, with math scores skewing higher (630–710) ([Holy Cross at a Glance](https://www.holycross.edu/about-holy-cross/at-a-glance), [BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross/admissions)). Notably, the college has seen a dramatic drop in acceptance rates—from 36% to 21% in recent years ([Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/collegeoftheholycross/posts/the-class-of-2030-is-already-making-history-at-holy-cross-a-record-breaking-1060/1371254591715972/)).
Holy Cross offers 40 majors, 29 minors, and 6 interdisciplinary concentrations ([Holy Cross Magazine](https://magazine.holycross.edu/stories/10-things-know-about-academics-holy-cross)). The curriculum emphasizes liberal arts breadth, with popular majors in the social sciences (e.g., Political Science, Economics) and humanities (e.g., History, Foreign Languages) ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross-2141/academics)).
Holy Cross is a residential campus—88% of students live on campus ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross-2141/student-life)), creating a tight-knit community. The 175-acre campus is a registered arboretum ([Niche](https://www.niche.com/colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross/campus-life/)).
Holy Cross delivers strong ROI: 91% of 2022 graduates were employed, in grad school, or engaged in service within six months ([First Destination Report](https://hcappsdev.holycross.edu/hcs/hcweb/outcomes-after-holy-cross/first-destinations-reports/2022.html)).
Holy Cross is expensive but generous: total cost is $85,220/year ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross-2141/paying)), but 60% of students receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. ([Holy Cross](https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid/financial-aid)).
Holy Cross merges Jesuit intellectual tradition with the intimacy of a small college and the outcomes of a pre-professional powerhouse. Its 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship, while its Worcester location offers internships in healthcare, finance, and tech. The college’s 90% four-year graduation rate—rare outside the Ivy League—reflects its academic support and student commitment. For those seeking a liberal arts education with a pragmatic edge, Holy Cross delivers.