College of the Holy Cross

College of the Holy Cross is a highly selective private, residential liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is the oldest Catholic college in New England and is exclusively Jesuit, belonging to a venerable network of Jesuit colleges and universities worldwide. The college is known for its rigorous classical and contemporary liberal arts curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and a commitment to justice, faith, and service in the Jesuit tradition (cura personalis—care for the whole person). It maintains a strong focus on undergraduate education within a beautiful, expansive hilltop campus.

The college was founded in 1843 by Benedict Joseph Fenwick, S.J., the second Bishop of Boston, who sought to establish a Jesuit institution to serve the growing Catholic population of the region. This college was the first Catholic college in New England and, through its Jesuit identity, was patterned after the traditional liberal arts structure that emphasizes the humanities and religious and moral studies. For most of its history, it was a male-only institution, but it famously became fully coeducational in 1972. Its strong legacy is tied to the Society of Jesus, whose educational philosophy has shaped the curriculum and the institution's commitment to social justice and academic excellence for over 180 years.

This college stands as a premier Catholic liberal arts institution, successfully integrating a demanding, classical education with a modern, global perspective, all guided by the transformative principles of Jesuit education. By emphasizing the development of the whole person and fostering a deep commitment to justice, the college prepares graduates to be thoughtful, ethical leaders in their chosen professions. The strong sense of community, the historic Jesuit mission, and the academic rigor solidify this college's reputation as one of the nation's finest Catholic colleges.