Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
99% Acceptance Rate
University of Holy Cross — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
99%Acceptance Rate
3.12Avg GPA
$28,380Annual Cost
$49,316Grad Salary
28.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
99%
Avg GPA
3.12
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
28.4% receive Pell
University of Holy Cross is a private, Catholic institution in Louisiana that emphasizes a values-based, small-college experience with a strong focus on professional and career-oriented programs. Admissions are holistic, looking for students who are ready to participate in an intimate learning environment where mentorship is prioritized. The college seeks individuals who are ready to engage in their education and prepare for successful futures through a foundation that integrates professional skills with personal development.
Prospective students should highlight their participation in extracurricular activities that showcase their leadership or community involvement. Demonstrating a proactive approach to learning?such as pursuing additional research or engaging in relevant volunteer work?can significantly strengthen an application. A successful personal statement reflects a clear understanding of how the college's unique, student-centered academic environment will prepare the student for their specific career aspirations, showcasing a desire for both intellectual and professional growth.
University of Holy Cross Acceptance Rate
University of Holy Cross runs an open-access admission policy — with a 99% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 99% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.12 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.92 – 3.11
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.67
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Holy Cross Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Holy Cross follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Holy Cross reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Holy Cross GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Holy Cross is 3.12. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.82–3.12 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.32–3.52.University of Holy Cross GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.12 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.92 – 3.11
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.72 – 2.91
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.71
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General freshman admission is largely formulaic (transcript + basic criteria); nursing (BSN) admission is separately competitive with its own testing and GPA rules.
- Nursing requires TEAS exam plus a Nelson-Denny Reading Test (12.0 grade-level minimum), administered on campus.
- Nursing GPA calculation includes any D/F in required courses from the last 3 years, regardless of the university's general repeat/delete policy.
- Nursing application fee waived if submitted by February 12, 2026 (Fall 2026 cycle).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Holy Cross
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Holy Cross's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Holy Cross Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Holy Cross is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Holy Cross Without SAT or ACT?
University of Holy Cross neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Holy Cross
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
University of Holy Cross provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Treat nursing admission as a fully separate, testing-heavy gate from general admission
Getting into UHC doesn't get you into nursing - BSN applicants need the TEAS exam plus a Nelson-Denny Reading Test score of at least 12.0 (12th-grade level) in both vocabulary and comprehension, administered in person on campus.
If your Nelson-Denny score is borderline, take the REA 100 reading course before retesting
Students scoring 10.7 or below are advised to take REA 100 and get retested with an alternate test form afterward - use this path deliberately rather than just retesting cold, since you get up to three attempts total.
Know that nursing GPA calculation ignores your school's repeat/delete policy
UHC's general repeat/delete grade policy does not apply to nursing admission GPA - any D or F in a required nursing-curriculum course within the last three years still counts against you, even if your transcript "hides" it elsewhere.
Apply by February 12 to get the nursing application fee waived
Submitting the Fall 2026 nursing application before this date waives the fee entirely - a concrete, low-effort way to reduce application costs if your materials are ready.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume general university admission (which is close to open/formulaic) means nursing admission works the same way - nursing is genuinely competitive with its own testing, GPA rules, and letters of reference, and treating it as a formality after general acceptance is a common and costly mistake.
University of Holy Cross Profile
Full Name
University of Holy Cross
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70131-7399
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a University of Holy Cross Degree Worth It?
At $28,380/year against a $49,316 median graduate salary, University of Holy Cross is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $52,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.03%.
How much does a degree from University of Holy Cross Cost?
The sticker price is $28,380/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
28.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 35.8% take federal loans at University of Holy Cross — file your FAFSA early and list University of Holy Cross as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Holy Cross Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,316 — about 21% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at University of Holy Cross
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Holy Cross Admissions
Median earnings for University of Holy Cross graduates sit around $49,316 a year.
At about $28,380 a year, University of Holy Cross is on the more affordable end.
About 28.4% receive a Pell Grant at University of Holy Cross — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 99%, University of Holy Cross's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Holy Cross average a 3.12 GPA.
University of Holy Cross doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.82 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.72, University of Holy Cross becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
University of Holy Cross follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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