Holy Cross College at Notre Dame

Holy Cross College at Notre Dame is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Notre Dame, Indiana, built around small classes, a residential campus and the academic resources of the nearby University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College. The college was founded in 1966 and serves a student body of about 600 undergraduates across 15 majors, 21 minors and 27 tracks.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, Holy Cross is a compact option for students who want a closely mentored US college experience with a clear internship expectation, tri-campus access and a values-based campus culture.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Institution type	Private, co-ed Catholic residential college
Location	Notre Dame, Indiana
Popular intake	September 2026
Founded	1966
Undergraduate enrollment	About 600
Academic structure	15 majors, 21 minors and 27 tracks
Campus profile	70-acre wooded campus with tri-campus access
Residential life	About 90% of students live on campus
Internship expectation	100% of students complete an internship before graduation
Accreditation	Higher Learning Commission
International admissions	Need-aware; requires funding proof and English proficiency documentation

Why Holy Cross Can Be A Good Fit

Holy Cross works well for students who want a small, faith-informed college without giving up the benefits of a bigger university neighborhood. The college curriculum is designed to connect liberal arts, service, career preparation and personal formation.

The tri-campus setting is a major advantage. Holy Cross students can draw on Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s resources, which expands academic, social and career opportunities far beyond the size of the college itself.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Holy Cross publishes clear 2026-2027 tuition and fee information on its official site. The figures below are the most useful planning numbers for September 2026 applicants.

Item	2026-2027 figure
Full-time tuition	USD 37,470
Comprehensive student fee	USD 1,500
Room and meals	USD 13,600
Basil books fee	USD 800
Extra credit hours	USD 1,207 per credit
Part-time tuition	USD 1,207 per credit
Gateway Program fee	USD 14,000

International students should also budget for visa costs, health insurance, transportation and personal expenses. Holy Cross requires a Certification of Finances for international admission and asks applicants to show proof of funding before scholarship aid is applied.

Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Application route	Common App or Holy Cross application, both with no application fee
English proficiency	TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE Academic or Duolingo accepted
Minimum English scores	71 TOEFL iBT, 6.0 IELTS, 53 PTE Academic, 95 Duolingo
International funding	Certification of Finances plus supporting documents
Aid for international students	Limited need-based aid; admission is need-aware
Housing	Residential experience is central, so confirm housing expectations early
Academic fit	Review majors, tracks and the required college curriculum

Campus And Student Life

Holy Cross is small, but it is not quiet. Students live in a close-knit campus culture with faith life, student activities, intramurals, leadership opportunities and easy access to a broader South Bend college ecosystem.

The college also emphasizes advising and academic support, so students who want regular mentor contact and a more personal transition into US higher education often find the environment reassuring.

Who Should Consider Holy Cross?

Holy Cross may suit students who want:

• A September 2026 intake at a small residential Catholic college
• A strong internship-first undergraduate model
• Access to the Notre Dame - Saint Mary’s - Holy Cross tri-campus network
• Liberal arts study with practical tracks in business, psychology, computer science, education and theology
• A campus where mentorship and community matter as much as class size

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising Holy Cross, students should confirm:

• Whether the Gateway Program applies to their study plan
• Total first-year cost after scholarship and aid consideration
• English test timing and score reporting
• Housing, meal plan and health insurance planning
• The best major or track for their career goal

Holy Cross College at Notre Dame is especially appealing to students who want a small Catholic liberal arts college, personal mentoring, a required internship before graduation and the benefits of studying next to the University of Notre Dame.

Key Highlights

Popular for	Why students choose it
Small classes	Average class size is about 15 in spring 2025
Internship culture	100% of students complete an internship before graduation
Residential life	About 90% of students live on campus
Tri-campus access	Academic and social resources from Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s
Career pathways	Preferred admission pathways into graduate and professional programs
Faith-based community	Catholic identity with open and inclusive student life
Local outcomes	Strong links to South Bend and Indiana employers and graduate study

Why Students Choose Holy Cross

Students choose Holy Cross when they want a college that feels personal and purposeful. The school is small enough for faculty to know students well, but the tri-campus setting gives them access to a much wider set of classes, clubs, events and networking opportunities.

Holy Cross is also a practical choice for students who want academic direction tied to career preparation. The required internship, pathway options and student support structure make it easier to move from first year planning into real experience.

Best Fit For September 2026

Holy Cross is a good match for the September 2026 intake if you want:

• A compact US campus with a clear sense of community
• Liberal arts study with professional tracks in areas like business, computer science, psychology and education
• A college where service, formation and career readiness are all part of the model

Useful To Know

Holy Cross is not a large research university, so students should judge it by fit, mentorship, internship access and graduate-school pathways rather than by a big-campus prestige formula.