Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Suburban campus with easy access to city resources
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Holy Apostles reflects the institution's small size and religious mission. The approximately 200 students divide between those pursuing priesthood through the seminary program and lay students, some residential and many taking classes online. On-campus life centers on the chapel, where daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours provide spiritual rhythm to the academic day. The college's location on the grounds of a former estate creates a peaceful, retreat-like atmosphere that supports prayer and study. Residential seminarians follow a structured daily schedule that includes morning prayer, Mass, classes, study time, and evening prayer. This rhythm of ora et labora, prayer and work, prepares them for the life of ordained ministry while also providing the discipline needed for serious academic study. Lay students participating in residential programs join this rhythm to whatever extent their schedules permit, often attending daily Mass and sharing meals with the seminary community. The college's location in central Connecticut provides access to larger urban areas while maintaining a quiet campus environment. Hartford, with its museums, restaurants, and cultural activities, lies about fifteen minutes north. New Haven, home to Yale University, is roughly twenty minutes south. New York City and Boston are each about two hours away by car, making weekend trips feasible for students who want occasional urban experiences. The campus itself includes walking trails, quiet gardens, and spaces for reflection that many students find essential for balancing the demands of academic and spiritual formation.

Location & Surroundings

Cromwell, Connecticut occupies the geographical center of the state, positioned along the Connecticut River about fifteen miles south of Hartford. This small town of roughly 14,000 residents maintains a quiet suburban character while providing convenient access to the larger cities of the region. The campus of Holy Apostles sits on former estate grounds, with historic buildings and mature trees creating an environment more reminiscent of a monastery than a typical American college. The surrounding region offers a mix of New England small-town charm and accessibility to major metropolitan areas. Hartford, the state capital, provides cultural institutions including the Wadsworth Atheneum, one of America's oldest public art museums, and the Connecticut Science Center. New Haven brings the intellectual energy of Yale University along with its acclaimed pizza restaurants and historic architecture. The Connecticut shoreline, with its beaches and sailing harbors, lies about thirty minutes to the south. Transportation options include Interstate 91, which connects Hartford to New Haven and beyond, and Interstate 84, which runs east to Providence and west to Waterbury and New York. Bradley International Airport, about thirty minutes north, provides commercial flights to major cities. Amtrak service is available from Hartford and New Haven stations. However, most students find that a car is necessary for regular errands and activities, as public transportation options in this suburban area remain limited. The college's quiet location works well for students focused on intensive study and spiritual formation but requires intentional effort to engage with the broader world.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Tuition at Holy Apostles remains lower than at many private colleges, reflecting the institution's mission to make Catholic education accessible. Undergraduate tuition runs approximately $12,000 per year for full-time students, with graduate programs charging on a per-credit basis. Room and board for residential students adds several thousand dollars more. The college offers institutional scholarships based on merit and need, and seminarians typically receive funding through their sponsoring diocese or religious community. Financial aid options include federal student loans for eligible students and various Catholic scholarship programs that support students at religious institutions. The college's financial aid office helps students identify and apply for external scholarships from Catholic foundations, knights of Columbus councils, and similar organizations. Many students, particularly in graduate programs, continue working while studying part-time, spreading costs over several years. Career outcomes for Holy Apostles graduates depend heavily on the program completed. Seminarians who complete the Master of Divinity typically proceed to ordination as Catholic priests, serving in parishes, schools, hospitals, or other ministries as assigned by their bishops. Permanent deacon candidates return to their communities to serve while continuing their secular careers. Lay graduates with degrees in theology or philosophy pursue various paths including teaching at Catholic schools, working in parish ministry, entering graduate programs at larger universities, or bringing their ethical and philosophical training to careers in business, law, or healthcare. The college's career services are modest given its size but focus on connecting graduates with Catholic institutions and organizations seeking employees with strong theological formation.

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