Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston College vs College of the Holy Cross
- Boston Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 19
- Holy Cross Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, College of the Holy Cross offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Boston College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,704 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than College of the Holy Cross
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Holy Cross
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,782, roughly $2,922 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% 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 Boston College over College of the Holy Cross. Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment vs $90,543.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Boston College. Net price $38,782 vs $41,704.
Pick Boston College over College of the Holy Cross. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston College and College of the Holy Cross are close on paper, but Boston 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
Boston College is the harder admit. It takes 16% of applicants, while College of the Holy Cross takes 18%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,507 to 1,353.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston 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 $2,922 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of Boston College also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $11,688 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, Boston College graduates report median earnings of $103,937, compared with $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross. That is a 15% advantage. Set against borrowing, Boston College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% 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.
Moving people up
Boston College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at College of the Holy Cross, it is 1%. Boston College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston 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 Boston 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 $2,922 a year, yet Boston College graduates earn $13,394 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. Boston College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while College of the Holy Cross leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston College's enrollment of 10,085 far exceeds College of the Holy Cross's 3,106.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,000 at Boston College.
- Business and consulting-track students: College of the Holy Cross has less business program depth, and Boston College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Boston 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 16%, Boston College attracts students who are academically driven and ready to engage deeply with their studies. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Psychology, among others. If you’re looking for a community that values both rigorous academics and a strong sense of tradition, this is a place where you can thrive.
Once you graduate, you can expect to make, on average, $103,937 after ten years in the workforce. That’s a solid figure that speaks to the value of a degree from Boston College. Students who study here often find themselves well-prepared for the job market, which is crucial as we consider our financial futures. The blend of a strong curriculum and a supportive network can lead to successful career paths.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $41,704, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000. This debt load is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential after graduation. Boston College tends to attract students who are ready to invest in their education and take full advantage of the opportunities available, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.
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
Boston College and College of the Holy Cross appear together in 3 rankings. On the Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts, Boston College ranks #3 — Boston College outranks College of the Holy Cross by 23 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Holy Cross leads with Sociology (33%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston) and Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while College of the Holy Cross concentrates in 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 Boston College or College of the Holy Cross?
Boston College is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross.
Which is more affordable, Boston 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 $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Boston College or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, versus $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston College or College of the Holy Cross?
Boston College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 88%.
Boston College vs College of the Holy Cross: which is better for social mobility?
Boston College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1%.
Should you choose Boston 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 Boston 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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