How to get into Stonehill College
How to get into Stonehill: a small Catholic liberal arts college outside Boston where ED and a real interview matter
66.3%
Acceptance rate
$57,490
In-state cost
What makes Stonehill College admissions different
Stonehill College is a small (~2,500 undergrad) Catholic liberal arts college in Easton, Massachusetts — about 25 miles south of Boston. Stonehill admits around 66% of applicants. The school has strong pre-health and pre-law pipelines, a Sustainability Living-Learning Community, and Division II athletics. The honest story at Stonehill is fit (small, Catholic, residential, suburban) and cost (full-sticker private offset by meaningful merit aid for most admits).
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by Stonehill's Early Action or Early Decision deadlines (typically November 1 and November 15) or Regular Decision (January 15).
- 2.
Apply Early Decision if Stonehill is your clear top choice — ED at small private LACs typically gives a meaningful admit-rate advantage.
- 3.
Schedule the optional interview. Stonehill values demonstrated interest, and a thoughtful interview can move a borderline application.
- 4.
Write a 'why Stonehill' supplement that engages with the school's Catholic Holy Cross identity and specific programs (Moreau Honors Program, the Office of Community-Based Learning, SURE undergraduate research, the Martin Institute for Law and Society).
- 5.
Apply to the Moreau Honors Program through its separate process if you have the profile — Honors students get an honors curriculum and dedicated advising.
- 6.
Submit SAT/ACT if competitive. Stonehill is test-optional but scores in the published range can help merit-scholarship offers.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Skipping the optional interview when you can schedule one. At a small school, demonstrated interest moves the needle.
- ✕
Writing a generic 'small liberal arts college' supplement. Stonehill has a specific Holy Cross identity and the supplement should engage with it.
- ✕
Ignoring cost. Stonehill is full-sticker private — merit aid is the main lever and Early applicants get first consideration.
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Treating Stonehill as a generic Boston-area backup. The Easton campus is genuinely suburban and the college culture is distinct from BC, BU, or Northeastern.
The specifics for Stonehill College
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Moreau Honors Program
Stonehill's honors program offers honors seminars, an honors thesis, dedicated advising, and an honors-themed living-learning community.
Holy Cross Catholic identity
Stonehill is sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross (the same religious order that founded the University of Notre Dame) and the Holy Cross identity shapes the school's emphasis on community and the formation of mind and heart.
SURE undergraduate research program
The Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience funds students for full-summer research projects with faculty mentors across all disciplines.
What graduates actually do
Stonehill, a Catholic liberal arts college in Easton, Massachusetts, sends graduates heavily into Boston-area finance, accounting, healthcare, and education. The Meehan School of Business has strong placement at Big Four accounting firms and Boston financial institutions, while pre-health and pre-law programs feed New England professional schools.
Notable alumni
- Brian McGrory — Journalism (Boston Globe editor)
- Brian Goodell — Business
Transfer pathway
Stonehill accepts transfer applications for fall and spring with rolling review. The college has articulation agreements with Massachusetts community colleges including Massasoit, Bristol, and Cape Cod Community College. A minimum 2.5 GPA is typically required; the college reviews on a holistic basis and accepts up to 80 credits from accredited institutions.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B+ transcript, reasonable rigor, and an honest interest in a small Catholic residential college, Stonehill is a likely admit. ED gives the cleanest bump. The decision is fit (small, Catholic, suburban Massachusetts) and net cost after merit aid.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.