Research.com
Holy Cross College logo

Holy Cross College

#935 in US ranking Notre Dame, IN
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$51,743
Tuition & fees
$37,700
Avg. aid
$30,877
Receiving aid
85%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
75%
Avg. SAT
1215
Avg. ACT
31

Outcomes

Graduation rate
73%
Median salary
$36,857
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Holy Cross College?

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.

What are the admission requirements at Holy Cross College?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at Holy Cross College?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Holy Cross College?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Holy Cross College?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Holy Cross College?

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.

Holy Cross College Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
1215
Avg. ACT
31
Acceptance rate
75%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
75%
Indiana
79%
US
78%

19% of admitted students enrolled (286 of 1,469)

Holy Cross College Admissions

Applicants
Total: 1,954
Admission
Total: 1,469
Enrolled
Total: 286
Women
Men

How to Apply to Holy Cross College

Regular application deadline

February 15

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Holy Cross College First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 118
Out-of-state: 158
International: 10

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 286
Transfer: 19

Holy Cross College Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1215

Median composite ACT score

31

High school completions

High school diploma required and GED is not accepted

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Considered but not required

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Holy Cross College Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data 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.

Recently Published Articles