
Holy Cross College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of a particular professional program.
Accreditation matters because it is one condition associated with participation in federal student aid programs and can be relevant when students seek to transfer credits. It does not guarantee that another college will accept a course or that a degree meets a state's licensing rules. Applicants considering teaching or another regulated occupation should check the applicable program and state requirements separately.
Holy Cross College reviews first-year applicants' secondary-school records and GPA and does not require or recommend SAT or ACT scores under its reported admissions policy. Admission is selective rather than open: approximately 75% of first-time applicants were admitted in the reported admissions cycle.
Applicants should expect to submit an application and high school record. Class rank, recommendations, and completion of a college-preparatory program may be considered but are not reported as mandatory. The college reports requiring a high school diploma for entering degree-seeking students and not accepting a GED for that category. Students applying with a nontraditional credential should confirm their eligibility before investing time in an application.
English-language proficiency testing is reported as required where applicable. Applicants educated outside the United States should confirm which test results or other evidence the admissions office accepts. Published requirements can also differ for transfer applicants; a test-optional policy does not remove transcript or credential requirements.
Applicants should check Holy Cross College's current application instructions for any charge associated with their particular application route. An application fee, if charged, is different from an enrollment deposit or later student fees.
Anyone who needs a fee waiver should ask admissions about eligibility and the request process before submitting a payment. That is especially important if an application platform, applicant category, or recruitment event uses different fee rules.
Holy Cross College students have reported access to Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through cooperating host institutions, rather than through units operated by Holy Cross College itself.
Cross-enrollment can involve classes, training, and scheduling at the host campus. ROTC participation does not automatically confer a scholarship, and contracting or accepting certain benefits can create military service obligations. Interested students should confirm current cross-enrollment eligibility, transportation, academic scheduling, and scholarship terms with the relevant ROTC unit before enrolling.
Holy Cross College generally accepts transfer credit from other accredited institutions and reports admitting transfer students for fall, spring, and summer entry. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of particular courses toward a major are separate decisions.
Transfer applicants should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended and to ask admissions whether a high school record is also required in their circumstances. The college reports accepting CLEP subject examinations and credit for certain life experiences, but those options should be evaluated against a specific degree plan rather than assumed to replace required courses.
Before committing, request a written review showing which completed courses transfer, how they satisfy general education and major requirements, and how many credits must be completed at Holy Cross. Students pursuing education or another sequenced program should also check whether prerequisite timing could extend their time to graduation.
Students interested in studying abroad should establish which international programs Holy Cross College currently approves and how participation fits their degree requirements. The existence of neighboring universities' overseas programs does not, by itself, make those programs available to Holy Cross students.
Before applying to an outside or partner program, students should obtain academic approval for the courses they hope to take and ask how grades and credits will return to their Holy Cross transcript. They should also compare the program's total price with their usual cost of attendance and confirm whether their scholarships or federal aid can be used.
19% of admitted students enrolled (286 of 1,469)
Regular application deadline
February 15Early Decision
NoEarly Action
Yes, deadline November 1Median composite SAT score
1215Median composite ACT score
31High school completions
High school diploma required and GED is not acceptedComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Considered but not requiredAdmission test scores
Neither required nor recommendedTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Considered but not requiredOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.