Holy Cross College Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Holy Cross College Acceptance Rate

Holy Cross College is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Holy Cross College is 73.7%. This means that 74 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
• Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective

Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 73.7% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.20 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.00 – 3.19

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 2.75

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

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 2.90 and 3.2, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.

Check Your Admission Chances at Holy Cross College

Holy Cross College Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into Holy Cross College Without SAT or ACT?

Holy Cross College Average SAT Score: 1229

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Holy Cross College is 1229 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1229 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1229 on the SAT.

If your score is below 980, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Holy Cross College. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 980 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 1300 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 1250

Can I get into Holy Cross College with a 1300 SAT?

With a 1300 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 ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Holy Cross College is 27.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 27 — Competitive

This score makes Holy Cross College Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 27 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Holy Cross College with a 31 ACT?

A 31 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Holy Cross College — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Holy Cross College use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Holy Cross College — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Holy Cross College uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 31 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 27

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Holy Cross College

Holy Cross College Profile

Is a Holy Cross College Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

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, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Birmingham-Southern College	Birmingham, AL	1197	24
Samford University	Birmingham, AL	1203	26
Harding University	Searcy, AR	1187	25
Ouachita Baptist University	Arkadelphia, AR	1212	25
Dominican University of California	San Rafael, CA	1194	26
Eastern Connecticut State University	Willimantic, CT	1200	NA
University of Hartford	West Hartford, CT	1207	29
University of New Haven	West Haven, CT	1190	NA
Quinnipiac University	Hamden, CT	1212	27
Howard University	Washington, DC	1205	25

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 is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Mobile	Mobile, AL	1220	24
John Brown University	Siloam Springs, AR	1222	26
California Lutheran University	Thousand Oaks, CA	1224	26
University of Redlands	Redlands, CA	1231	28
University of South Florida	Tampa, FL	1235	27

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
The University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	1287	28
University of Arizona	Tucson, AZ	1261	26
University of the Pacific	Stockton, CA	1303	27
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego, CA	1278	26
Thomas Aquinas College	Santa Paula, CA	1277	29

Degree Programs at Holy Cross College

Bachelor Degree Programs

Associate Degree Programs

UG Certificate or Diploma Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by Holy Cross College →

Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Cross College Admissions