Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Georgetown University
- Holy Cross Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 16
- Georgetown Wins
- 25
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, College of the Holy Cross offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to College of the Holy Cross's $38,782. 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Holy Cross
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,782, roughly $2,033 a year less
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than College of the Holy Cross
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Holy Cross graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% of degrees); Georgetown in Social Sciences (36%). 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 Georgetown University over College of the Holy Cross. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $90,543.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Georgetown University. Net price $38,782 vs $40,815.
Pick Georgetown University over College of the Holy Cross. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Georgetown University 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
College of the Holy Cross and Georgetown University are close on paper, but Georgetown University 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
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while College of the Holy Cross takes 18%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,487.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown University 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 $2,033 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $8,132 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, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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
Georgetown University 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 6% 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
Georgetown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at College of the Holy Cross, it is 1%. Georgetown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgetown 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 Georgetown University 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 $2,033 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $12,951 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. College of the Holy Cross concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Georgetown University leans toward Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Business and consulting-track students: College of the Holy Cross has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds College of the Holy Cross's 3,106.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown 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) 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
Research (Times HE) 4 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.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgetown University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 33% of Holy Cross's student body and 36% of Georgetown's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Psychology, Physical Sciences, while Georgetown University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. 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 Georgetown University?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Georgetown University?
College of the Holy Cross is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,782 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Georgetown University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross.
Which has a better graduation rate, College of the Holy Cross or Georgetown University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 88%.
College of the Holy Cross vs Georgetown University: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Georgetown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose College of the Holy Cross if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University 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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