Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs College of the Holy Cross
- Case Western Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 17
- Holy Cross Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, College of the Holy Cross offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $38,782 vs Case Western Reserve University's $41,190, College of the Holy Cross delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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
Case Western
- Less debt: Median debt of $24,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Holy Cross
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Case Western Reserve University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,782, roughly $2,408 a year less
- More selective: Admits 18% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (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 College of the Holy Cross over Case Western Reserve University. Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment vs $87,989.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Case Western Reserve University. Net price $38,782 vs $41,190.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over College of the Holy Cross. 1.8% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve University and College of the Holy Cross are close on paper, but College of the Holy Cross wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
College of the Holy Cross is the harder admit. It takes 18% of applicants, while Case Western Reserve University takes 37%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,353.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, College of the Holy Cross 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 $2,408 a year below Case Western Reserve University's $41,190. Graduates of Case Western Reserve University also borrow less: median debt of $24,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $9,632 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, College of the Holy Cross graduates report median earnings of $90,543, compared with $87,989 at Case Western Reserve University. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Case Western Reserve University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.27x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Case Western Reserve University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at College of the Holy Cross, it is 1%. Case Western Reserve University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Case Western Reserve University 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 Case Western Reserve University if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, with a 18% admit rate, but Case Western Reserve University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while College of the Holy Cross leans toward Social Sciences, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Case Western Reserve University's enrollment of 6,437 far exceeds College of the Holy Cross's 3,106.
- Engineering-focused students: Case Western Reserve University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Case Western 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
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
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
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Case Western's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Holy Cross leads with Sociology (33%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while College of the Holy Cross concentrates in Social Sciences, 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 Case Western Reserve University or College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, admitting 18% of applicants compared with 37% at Case Western Reserve University.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University 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 $41,190 at Case Western Reserve University.
Do Case Western Reserve University 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 $87,989 at Case Western Reserve University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 87%.
Case Western Reserve University vs College of the Holy Cross: which is better for social mobility?
Case Western Reserve University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 1%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve University 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 Case Western Reserve University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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