Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL
- Holy Cross Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 12
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Wins
- 12
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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272, 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.
45 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Holy Cross
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,782, roughly $2,490 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 18% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,666, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Holy Cross graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% of degrees); Embry-Riddle Aeronautical in Transportation (41%). 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment vs $84,131.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Net price $38,782 vs $41,272.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. 88% completion rate vs 67%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
College of the Holy Cross and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,257.
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 $2,490 a year below Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's $41,272. Graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach also borrow less: median debt of $23,666, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $9,960 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 $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.28x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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
College of the Holy Cross graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 67%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 21% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick College of the Holy Cross to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. College of the Holy Cross concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach leans toward Transportation, Engineering, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach's enrollment of 7,860 far exceeds College of the Holy Cross's 3,106.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 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
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.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach can expect to earn an average of $84,131 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential makes it a compelling choice for those looking to invest in their future.
The Opportunity Insights data isn't available for Embry-Riddle, but the statistics on graduation and job placement suggest that students have a solid chance of finding success post-graduation. With a graduation rate of 67%, students are likely to complete their degrees and enter the workforce equipped with skills that are in demand.
The net price to attend is $41,272, with a median debt of $23,666. This balance is manageable considering the earning potential graduates enjoy. Students who thrive here are typically those drawn to aviation, engineering, and technical fields, seeking hands-on experience and a pathway to a stable career.
Rankings They Appear On
College of the Holy Cross is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for English ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Holy Cross's top program is Sociology (33% of enrollment), while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical leads with Supply Chain Management (41%).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach concentrates in Transportation, Engineering, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice. 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 College of the Holy Cross or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, admitting 18% of applicants compared with 65% at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
College of the Holy Cross is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,782 after aid versus $41,272 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,131 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.
Which has a better graduation rate, College of the Holy Cross or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
College of the Holy Cross has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 67%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose College of the Holy Cross if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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