College of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

College of the Holy Cross Acceptance Rate

College of the Holy Cross is one of the renowned universities in the USA. It is very competitive to get admission to. The acceptance rate of College of the Holy Cross is 21.1%. This means that only 21 out of every 100 applicants are admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Strong Academics: A consistent record of A-level performance is expected.
• Score Validation: High SAT/ACT scores can help compensate for minor GPA fluctuations.
• Engagement: Admissions staff look for sustained commitment to 2–3 key extracurricular activities.

Selectivity at a Glance

Highly Competitive

Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 21.1% acceptance rate

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

While academics are a primary focus, Holy Cross considers your entire profile. A well-crafted personal statement and strong interpersonal communication skills can significantly enhance your chances of moving forward in the selection process.

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

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College of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross) 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 Without SAT or ACT?

College of the Holy Cross Average SAT Score: 1354

The average SAT score of the admitted students at College of the Holy Cross is 1354 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1354 — Competitive

This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1354 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1250, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Holy Cross. 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 1250 then you are below most of the admitted students at Holy Cross and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1420 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 1350

Can I get into College of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross) with a 1400 SAT?

With a 1400 SAT Score, your chances of admission at College of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross) are good but the admission staff at Holy Cross 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.

College of the Holy Cross (Holy Cross) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Holy Cross is 30.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 30 — Very Competitive

This score makes College of the Holy Cross very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 30 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into College of the Holy Cross with a 32 ACT?

A 32 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at College of the Holy Cross — 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 College of the Holy Cross 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 College of the Holy Cross — 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 College of the Holy Cross 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 32 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 30

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Holy Cross

Holy Cross Profile

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Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than College of the Holy Cross. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Alabama in Huntsville	Huntsville, AL	1321	28
Auburn University	Auburn, AL	1318	28
Hendrix College	Conway, AR	1336	29
University of San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	1313	29
University of Denver	Denver, CO	1344	31
University of Connecticut	Storrs, CT	1338	31
Fairfield University	Fairfield, CT	1323	31
Florida State University	Tallahassee, FL	1323	29
Rollins College	Winter Park, FL	1304	29
Lake Forest College	Lake Forest, IL	1309	30

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as College of the Holy Cross. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Chapman University	Orange, CA	1353	30
University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, CO	1353	31
University of Denver	Denver, CO	1344	31
United States Air Force Academy	USAF Academy, CO	1362	30
Wheaton College	Wheaton, IL	1363	30

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than College of the Holy Cross. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Santa Clara University	Santa Clara, CA	1417	32
Colorado School of Mines	Golden, CO	1403	31
Connecticut College	New London, CT	1412	32
Trinity College	Hartford, CT	1396	32
American University	Washington, DC	1392	31

Degree Programs at Holy Cross

Bachelor Degree Programs

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Cross Admissions