Holy Cross College is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Holy Cross College is 76.17%. This means that 76 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is Holy Cross College Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as Holy Cross College is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
Holy Cross College Admission Requirements
Holy Cross College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Holy Cross College is 3.2. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 2.9 and 3.2, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score. A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required.
Can I Get Into Holy Cross College Without SAT Or ACT?: Holy Cross College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Holy Cross College SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Holy Cross College Average SAT Score: 1320
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Holy Cross College is 1320 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Holy Cross College SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1320 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1373 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Holy Cross College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1203, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Holy Cross College. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Holy Cross College SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 632 | 593 | 670 |
SAT Reading | 657 | 610 | 703 |
SAT Composite | 1320 | 1203 | 1373 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1203 then you are below most of the admitted students at Holy Cross College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1373 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Holy Cross College with a 1350 SAT?
With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Holy Cross College are good but the admission staff at Holy Cross College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Holy Cross College Profile
Name: Holy Cross College
City: Notre Dame
URL: www.hcc-nd.edu/
State: Indiana
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 46556-0308
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from Holy Cross College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Holy Cross College is USD: 47029. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Holy Cross College is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
27.35% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 62.39 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Holy Cross College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Holy Cross College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Holy Cross College as your choice in the form.
How much a Holy Cross College Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the Holy Cross College graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 50416. An average Holy Cross College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Holy Cross College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Holy Cross College, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL | 1291 | 27 |
The University of Alabama | The University of Alabama, AL | 1304 | 27 |
Auburn University | Auburn University, AL | 1292 | 27 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ | 1278 | 28 |
University of the Pacific | University of the Pacific, CA | 1276 | 29 |
University of Colorado Boulder | University of Colorado Boulder, CO | 1301 | 29 |
United States Coast Guard Academy | United States Coast Guard Academy, CT | 1294 | 29 |
University of Delaware | University of Delaware, DE | 1290 | 29 |
University of Central Florida | University of Central Florida, FL | 1281 | 27 |
Florida State University | Florida State University, FL | 1309 | 29 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Holy Cross College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Holy Cross College, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Chapman University | Chapman University, CA | 1316 | 29 |
University of San Francisco | University of San Francisco, CA | 1323 | 29 |
Thomas Aquinas College | Thomas Aquinas College, CA | 1328 | 30 |
Fairfield University | Fairfield University, CT | 1325 | 30 |
Covenant College | Covenant College, GA | 1315 | 28 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Holy Cross College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Loyola Marymount University | Loyola Marymount University, CA | 1378 | 31 |
Pepperdine University | Pepperdine University, CA | 1399 | 30 |
Santa Clara University | Santa Clara University, CA | 1379 | 31 |
Westmont College | Westmont College, CA | 1380 | 32 |
Trinity College | Trinity College, CT | 1387 | 31 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Biology, General
- Business/Commerce, General
- Communication and Media Studies
- Design and Applied Arts
- English Language and Literature, General
- Fine and Studio Arts
- History
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Psychology, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Full list of All degree programs offered by Holy Cross College.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.