Worcester, MA · Private University
Is College of the Holy Cross Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$90,543
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$60,850
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$60,850
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$243,400
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.49x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
89.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$36,868
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn $45,543 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at College of the Holy Cross ranked by graduate earnings
128 graduates
40 graduates
21 graduates
23 graduates
71 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at College of the Holy Cross
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At College of the Holy Cross, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $96,461) and the lowest (International/Global Studies: $46,530) is $49,931/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $96,461 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics | $87,210 | 1.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $74,842 | 1.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services(1yr data) | $73,234 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $69,556 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $68,772 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $67,624 | 1.1x |
| History | $65,505 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $64,858 | 1.1x |
| Chemistry | $61,540 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $57,078 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $56,085 | 0.9x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $48,040 | 0.8x |
| International/Global StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $46,530 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Holy Cross | 1.49x | $90,543 | Average ROI |
| Bucknell University | 1.45x | $93,807 | Average ROI |
| Lafayette College | 1.46x | $91,410 | Average ROI |
| Trinity College | 1.35x | $90,779 | Average ROI |
| Lehigh University | 1.70x | $105,584 | Good ROI |
| Skidmore College | 1.07x | $69,363 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
College of the Holy Cross delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $90,543 10 years after starting — $45,543 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.4 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.