At $36,868/yr net price, College of the Holy Cross graduates earn $90,543/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $56,543/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,868 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $147,472 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $90,543/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$56,543/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 89.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,900/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,282/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,722/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,535/yr |
| $110,001+ | $51,228/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $66,519 | $27,000 |
| Physics. | Bachelor | $59,417 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $52,733 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $46,357 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $45,175 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $44,590 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $26,975 |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $42,458 | $26,449 |
| History. | Bachelor | $42,363 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
89.6% of students at College of the Holy Cross graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
College of the Holy Cross gives you strong odds and solid pay. An 89.6% graduation rate and 93% retention mean you finish and you finish on time, which is where debt gets out of control at weaker schools. Median earnings a decade out sit around $90,000, and median debt of $27,000 is manageable against that number. This is a good financial bet if you get in and can cover the cost.
By major, economics leads the pack at graduation, with physics and mathematics close behind. Political science and chemistry land lower in early-career pay. These are early-career figures, and the gap between them and the $90,000 mid-career median tells you Holy Cross graduates climb over time. The quantitative majors, econ and physics especially, give you the best starting position. If you want an early paycheck to justify the price fast, lean toward those.
The main risk here is cost. At over $110,000 in family income you pay $51,228 a year, more than double the sticker most families associate with a state school. Four years of that is real money, and the payoff depends on you actually landing in a field like finance or a graduate track. A softer major plus full price is where this school stops making financial sense.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. Under $48,000 in income, you pay $6,282 to $14,900 a year, a genuine bargain for these outcomes. Between $48,000 and $110,000 the price climbs fast, and above $110,000 you pay full freight. Holy Cross is a strong fit if your family earns under $48,000 or if you target economics or physics. If you fall in the middle-income band and want a general humanities degree, run the numbers against a cheaper option first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of the Holy Cross worth the cost?
Holy Cross graduates earn $90,543 annually 10 years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional given the $36,868 annual net price. The return on investment is reasonable for a liberal arts college, though graduates typically won't see the high earnings of top engineering or business programs.
What are the best paying majors at College of the Holy Cross?
Economics majors at Holy Cross earn the highest starting salaries at $66,519, followed by Physics at $59,417. Liberal arts majors like Political Science ($46,357) and Chemistry ($45,175) earn significantly less, making program choice critical for financial outcomes.
How much debt do College of the Holy Cross students graduate with?
Holy Cross students graduate with a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. With typical starting salaries around $45,000-$66,000 depending on major, most graduates can handle this debt load.
Does College of the Holy Cross provide good financial aid?
The net price of $36,868 after aid is still substantial for most families, representing about 60-70% of median household income. While Holy Cross offers aid, the school remains expensive even after discounts for middle-class students.