College of the Holy Cross
A good fit for competitive applicants and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $88,600 within 10 years; strong 87% graduation rate.
About This School
College of the Holy Cross is a private nonprofit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts with approximately 3,106 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 18%. The average net price after financial aid is $38,782 per year. The graduation rate is 87%, and the typical graduate earns $88,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
The College of the Holy Cross is a private Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded by educators Benedict Joseph Fenwick and Thomas F. Mulledy in 1843 under the auspices of the Society of Jesus. Holy Cross was the first Catholic college in New England and is among the oldest Catholic institutions of higher education in the US.
This is a strong option for students seeking a rigorous Jesuit liberal arts education in a tight-knit community — a 90% graduation rate and 93% freshman retention signal that students who get in tend to thrive and stay. The financial picture is worth scrutinizing: $36,868/year in net price is substantial, though median earnings of $88,600 a decade out and relatively modest debt of $25,879 at graduation suggest the investment tends to pay off. The 21% acceptance rate means you'll need a competitive application, but if you want a small Catholic liberal arts college with strong outcomes near Boston, this one earns serious consideration.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,106 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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