College of the Holy Cross
#27 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Overview
College of the Holy Cross is a private institution that was founded in 1843. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,233 (fall 2022), its setting is city, and the campus size is 174 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. College of the Holy Cross' ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #27. Its tuition and fees are $60,850.
Worcester, Mass., is the second largest city in New England and a booming college town to boot. The College of the Holy Cross is one of more than a dozen institutions in the area, so students have a variety of dining, nightlife and outdoor options. Boston, another thriving college town, is 45 miles away. On the Holy Cross campus, students can choose from more than 100 clubs and organizations in which to get involved. There is no Greek system at the Jesuit institution. All freshmen must live on campus and must participate in the Montserrat program, which clusters together small groups of first-year students who take the same classes, live in the same themed residence areas and engage in group activities. About 90% of students live on campus. A quarter of students play varsity sports in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Students can elect to study for a semester in another country, at another school or in Washington, D.C.
As the nation’s only Jesuit institution solely for undergraduates, Holy Cross offers spiritual activities and retreats throughout the school year. The student body is predominantly Catholic, but all faiths are welcome. The College of the Holy Cross is one of 10 schools in the Worcester Consortium. As such, Holy Cross students can take classes at other schools and often receive discounted tickets to events around the city. Notable alumni include "Hardball" host Chris Matthews; Jon Favreau, former director of speechwriting for President Obama; and, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
College of the Holy Cross is a private institution that was founded in 1843. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,233 (fall 2022), its setting is city, and the campus size is 174 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. College of the Holy Cross' ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #27. Its tuition and fees are $60,850.
Worcester, Mass., is the second largest city in New England and a booming college town to boot. The College of the Holy Cross is one of more than a dozen institutions in the area, so students have a variety of dining, nightlife and outdoor options. Boston, another thriving college town, is 45 miles away. On the Holy Cross campus, students can choose from more than 100 clubs and organizations in which to get involved. There is no Greek system at the Jesuit institution. All freshmen must live on campus and must participate in the Montserrat program, which clusters together small groups of first-year students who take the same classes, live in the same themed residence areas and engage in group activities. About 90% of students live on campus. A quarter of students play varsity sports in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Students can elect to study for a semester in another country, at another school or in Washington, D.C.
As the nation’s only Jesuit institution solely for undergraduates, Holy Cross offers spiritual activities and retreats throughout the school year. The student body is predominantly Catholic, but all faiths are welcome. The College of the Holy Cross is one of 10 schools in the Worcester Consortium. As such, Holy Cross students can take classes at other schools and often receive discounted tickets to events around the city. Notable alumni include "Hardball" host Chris Matthews; Jon Favreau, former director of speechwriting for President Obama; and, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
City
Tuition & Fees
$60,850
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,233
Acceptance Rate
36%
From the School
As the nation’s only exclusively undergraduate Jesuit liberal arts college, Holy Cross is a close-knit community dedicated to learning with purpose.
All students come in undeclared, so that you have the chance to explore all your passions and discover new pursuits. You’ll participate in Montserrat, a unique first-year experience where you’ll live and learn in a close-knit, interdisciplinary community. You’ll study widely and learn deeply through liberal arts coursework that brings you face-to-face with wide-ranging ideas, disciplines, perspectives. When you’re ready, you’ll choose from 60+ majors, minors, concentrations, and career programs - or design your own. And you’ll learn alongside faculty members who become mentors, undertake cutting-edge research, and participate in immersive fieldwork, service, and global learning opportunities.
You’ll also learn what it means to be “people for and with others”: the Jesuit tenet of walking with others while exploring the ways we can use our personal passions, gifts, and knowledge to create positive change together. On campus, in Worcester, and around the world, you’ll form connections with people whose lived experiences are different from your own, build relationships that last a lifetime, and discover how you can make an impact on the world.
When you graduate, you’ll join a rich network of alumni that think morally, act compassionately and respond adeptly to the challenges they face. No matter where your path takes you, you’ll be prepared to do well and do good in the world around you.
As the nation’s only exclusively undergraduate Jesuit liberal arts college, Holy Cross is a close-knit community dedicated to learning with purpose.
All students come in undeclared, so that you have the chance to explore all your passions and discover new pursuits. You’ll participate in Montserrat, a unique first-year experience where you’ll live and learn in a close-knit, interdisciplinary community. You’ll study widely and learn deeply through liberal arts coursework that brings you face-to-face with wide-ranging ideas, disciplines, perspectives. When you’re ready, you’ll choose from 60+ majors, minors, concentrations, and career programs - or design your own. And you’ll learn alongside faculty members who become mentors, undertake cutting-edge research, and participate in immersive fieldwork, service, and global learning opportunities.
You’ll also learn what it means to be “people for and with others”: the Jesuit tenet of walking with others while exploring the ways we can use our personal passions, gifts, and knowledge to create positive change together. On campus, in Worcester, and around the world, you’ll form connections with people whose lived experiences are different from your own, build relationships that last a lifetime, and discover how you can make an impact on the world.
When you graduate, you’ll join a rich network of alumni that think morally, act compassionately and respond adeptly to the challenges they face. No matter where your path takes you, you’ll be prepared to do well and do good in the world around you.
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Admissions
Cost
Tuition & Fees
$60,850
Room & Board
$17,750(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$48,673
$32,990
$32,990
Tuition & Fees
$60,850
Room & Board
$17,750(2023-24)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$48,673
*Average cost after aid
Academics
89%
10:1
62%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Psychology, General
16%
N/A
Economics, General
15%
N/A
Political Science and Government, General
11%
N/A
English Language and Literature, General
7%
N/A
History, General
7%
N/A
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Study Abroad with Holy Cross
Sponsored
Expand your horizons and immerse yourself in global cultures when you study abroad through one of our 50+ programs in more than 30 cities around the world. Most Holy Cross students study abroad for a full year, but you can also participate in semester or summer programs and immersion trips. In many of our programs, you’ll also live with a host family and engage in an independent project to connect deeply with the people and culture of your host country.
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Pick the Perfect Major
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Students
3,233
Graduate Enrollment
N/A
Total Enrollment
3,233
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
3,210
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
23%
Minority Enrollment
23%
Minority Enrollment
71%
White
12%
Hispanic
4%
Black
4%
Asian
3%
Two or more races
3%
International
3%
Unknown
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
79+
Sports Teams
N/A
Fraternities
N/A
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
89%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
60%
Average Debt at Graduation
$24,617
$46,239
$46,239
Graduation Rate
89%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
60%
Average Debt at Graduation
$24,617
Reviews & Ratings
See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.
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It's what you learn, but also with and from whom you learn, and how you learn to think. Small class sizes mean the students are engaged on a daily basis - there is no hiding in the back of a big lecture hall. Professors are amazing and there are very, very few classes taught but anyone with less than a PhD in their field. The opportunities for undergraduate research in the sciences are unparalleled, and the study abroad program is an incredible opportunity. There's a reason so many alumni go on to graduate school (30+ percent to law school) - after the academic rigors of Holy Cross, graduates can handle anything. I met some of my best friends there and would choose it again in a heartbeat.”
“Jennifer Washington, DC
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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