The College of the Holy Cross has been recognized as one of the top colleges in the nation by Niche in the review website's "2022 Best Colleges" rankings, receiving an overall grade of A+.
Holy Cross was also recognized as one of the top 5% "Best Colleges" in the nation—from a total of 1,652 higher education institutions—and in the top 3% in both the "Best Value" and "Best Small Colleges" categories.
Niche's "Best Colleges" ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial investment and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 1,600 top colleges and universities in the U.S.
This year, Niche made a key change to its methodology by de-emphasizing the importance of SAT and ACT scores. According to the review website, challenges making appointments to test in-person due to COVID-19, acknowledgement of socioeconomic and racial disparities perpetuated by standardized tests and an increasing number of institutions adopting test-optional policies have all lessened the importance of these test scores.
Holy Cross became one of the first five colleges nationally to make standardized test scores an optional part of the admissions process back in 2005, citing the tests' inability to determine how successful a student would be in college and, most importantly, the College's concerns with promoting inequality at a time when many colleges are seeking to create and promote opportunities for first-generation college students or those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"As we've seen the higher ed industry weather enormous change, it has been a top priority of ours to remain a steadfast, reliable resource for students and their families searching for their best fit college," said Luke Skurman, CEO and founder of Niche. "Our 2022 college rankings will provide unique and comprehensive insights into top-notch institutions across the country. With ongoing uncertainty surrounding everyday life and the college experience in particular, we're honored to continue to serve our millions of users at every step of the admissions process."
- View Niche's list of "Best Colleges in America"
- View Niche's list of "Best Small Colleges in America"
- View Niche's list of "Best Value Colleges in America"
- Learn more about Niche's methodology for college rankings
- Learn more about what makes Holy Cross special on our Points of Pride page
