Head-to-Head Comparison
Bowdoin College vs College of the Holy Cross
- Bowdoin Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 8
- Holy Cross Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Bowdoin College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,398 vs College of the Holy Cross's $38,782, Bowdoin College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Bowdoin College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
42 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bowdoin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,398, roughly $24,384 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Holy Cross
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than Bowdoin College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bowdoin graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (31% of degrees); Holy Cross in Social Sciences (35%). 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 College of the Holy Cross over Bowdoin College. Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment vs $82,735.
Pick Bowdoin College over College of the Holy Cross. Net price $14,398 vs $38,782.
Pick Bowdoin College over College of the Holy Cross. 1.1% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Bowdoin College over College of the Holy Cross. 95% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bowdoin College and College of the Holy Cross are close on paper, but Bowdoin 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
Bowdoin College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while College of the Holy Cross takes 18%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,353.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Bowdoin 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, Bowdoin College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,398, about $24,384 a year below College of the Holy Cross's $38,782. Graduates of Bowdoin College also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $97,536 before any change in aid. Choosing Bowdoin College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, College of the Holy Cross graduates report median earnings of $90,543, compared with $82,735 at Bowdoin College. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, Bowdoin College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.22x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% 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
Bowdoin College graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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
Bowdoin College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.1%; at College of the Holy Cross, it is 1%. Bowdoin College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bowdoin 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 Bowdoin College to keep costs and debt down; pick College of the Holy Cross 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. Bowdoin College saves about $24,384 a year, yet College of the Holy Cross graduates earn $7,808 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. Bowdoin College concentrates enrollment in Physical Sciences, 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
No strong negative signals — Bowdoin competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $38,782 runs well above Bowdoin College's $14,398.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $18,500 at Bowdoin College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: College of the Holy Cross's enrollment of 3,106 far exceeds Bowdoin College's 1,873.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 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
The Overviews
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Bowdoin College is an excellent fit for students who are academically driven and ready to engage in a tight-knit community. With a total enrollment of 1,873, this private nonprofit institution in Brunswick, Maine, stands out for its strong emphasis on the liberal arts. Students here often delve into social sciences, biology, physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics, allowing them to develop a well-rounded education that prepares them for various career paths.
When it comes to life after graduation, Bowdoin graduates see solid earnings, with a 10-year median income of $82,735. This financial stability highlights the value of a Bowdoin degree in the job market. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting those with financial need, the college’s overall affordability makes it a viable option for many families looking for a meaningful investment in education.
Looking at the numbers, the net price after aid is $14,398, and the median debt for graduates is $18,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students can graduate with a reasonable financial outlook. Bowdoin tends to attract students who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment and are eager to contribute to their communities, both on campus and beyond.
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
Bowdoin College and College of the Holy Cross appear together in 4 rankings. On the Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Bowdoin College ranks #5 — Bowdoin College outranks College of the Holy Cross by 26 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 31% of Bowdoin's student body and 35% of Holy Cross's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bowdoin) and Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bowdoin College is strongest in Physical Sciences, Computer Science & IT, while College of the Holy Cross concentrates in Psychology, English & Literature. 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 Bowdoin College or College of the Holy Cross?
Bowdoin College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross.
Which is more affordable, Bowdoin College or College of the Holy Cross?
Bowdoin College is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,398 after aid versus $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross.
Do Bowdoin College or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,735 at Bowdoin College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bowdoin College or College of the Holy Cross?
Bowdoin College has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 88%.
Bowdoin College vs College of the Holy Cross: which is better for social mobility?
Bowdoin College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 1%.
Should you choose Bowdoin College or College of the Holy Cross?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Bowdoin College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose College of the Holy Cross 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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