Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs College of the Holy Cross
- Babson Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 15
- Holy Cross Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, College of the Holy Cross offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Babson College achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,514 compared to College of the Holy Cross's $38,782 for in-state paths. Students who choose College of the Holy Cross benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $90,543 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 37% more than College of the Holy Cross
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Holy Cross
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,782, roughly $1,732 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Holy Cross in Social Sciences (33%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over College of the Holy Cross. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $90,543.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Babson College. Net price $38,782 vs $40,514.
Pick Babson College over College of the Holy Cross. 2.8% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Babson College over College of the Holy Cross. 93% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and College of the Holy Cross are close on paper, but Babson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Babson College is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while College of the Holy Cross takes 18%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,353.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Babson College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, College of the Holy Cross comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $38,782, about $1,732 a year below Babson College's $40,514. Graduates of Babson College also borrow less: median debt of $20,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,928 before any change in aid. Choosing College of the Holy Cross leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross. That is a 37% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 37% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Babson College graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at College of the Holy Cross, it is 1%. Babson College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick College of the Holy Cross to keep costs and debt down; pick Babson College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. College of the Holy Cross saves about $1,732 a year, yet Babson College graduates earn $33,395 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Babson College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while College of the Holy Cross leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Babson competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $20,000 at Babson College.
- Business and consulting-track students: College of the Holy Cross has less business program depth, and Babson College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Babson offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Holy Cross does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 18%, the College of the Holy Cross attracts students who are not only academically driven but also eager for a transformative educational experience. Here, students dive into programs like Social Sciences, Psychology, and Biology, among others. This school is particularly appealing for those who appreciate a liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking and personal growth.
Looking at life after graduation, Holy Cross graduates see impressive earnings, averaging around $90,543 within a decade of finishing their degrees. This financial trajectory speaks volumes about the school’s ability to prepare students for successful careers. It’s worth noting that the high graduation rate of 88% indicates that most students stay on track to complete their degrees, which can significantly affect future earning potential.
When it comes to the cost of attending, the net price stands at $38,782 after financial aid, while the median debt for graduates is $27,000. This can be manageable for many, especially considering the strong earning potential post-graduation. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are motivated, engaged, and ready to take full advantage of the resources and community at Holy Cross.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College and College of the Holy Cross appear together in 8 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business, Babson College ranks #1 — Babson College outranks College of the Holy Cross by 28 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Babson's top program is Business Administration (100% of enrollment), while Holy Cross leads with Sociology (33%).
Babson
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross).
The two schools feed different job markets. Babson College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while College of the Holy Cross concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or College of the Holy Cross?
Babson College is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,782 after aid versus $40,514 at Babson College.
Do Babson College or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or College of the Holy Cross?
Babson College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 88%.
Babson College vs College of the Holy Cross: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 1%.
Should you choose Babson College or College of the Holy Cross?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose College of the Holy Cross if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Babson College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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