Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Lafayette College
- Holy Cross Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 16
- Lafayette Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Lafayette College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While College of the Holy Cross achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 88%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $38,782 compared to Lafayette College's $34,433 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Lafayette College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Holy Cross
- More selective: Admits 18% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Lafayette
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than College of the Holy Cross
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,433, roughly $4,349 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Holy Cross graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% of degrees); Lafayette in Social Sciences (30%). 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 Lafayette College over College of the Holy Cross. Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment vs $90,543.
Pick Lafayette College over College of the Holy Cross. Net price $34,433 vs $38,782.
Pick Lafayette 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
College of the Holy Cross and Lafayette College are close on paper, but Lafayette College 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 Lafayette College takes 31%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,424.
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, Lafayette College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,433, about $4,349 a year below College of the Holy Cross's $38,782. Graduates of Lafayette College also borrow less: median debt of $16,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $17,396 before any change in aid. Choosing Lafayette College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Lafayette College graduates report median earnings of $91,410, compared with $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Lafayette College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% 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
Lafayette 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%. Lafayette College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Lafayette 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 Lafayette College to keep costs and debt down.
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 Lafayette College posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.6%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. College of the Holy Cross concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while Lafayette College leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $38,782 runs well above Lafayette College's $34,433.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $16,000 at Lafayette College.
- Engineering-focused students: Lafayette College has the stronger engineering programs.
No strong negative signals — Lafayette competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Lafayette 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
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.
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of 31%, Lafayette College in Easton, PA, is an appealing choice for students who are ready to engage deeply with their education in a supportive community. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology and Biomedical Studies, Psychology, and Visual and Performing Arts. The college’s emphasis on collaborative learning and hands-on experiences really stands out, making it a place where students can explore their passions while also preparing for their careers.
After graduation, Lafayette alumni can expect to earn an impressive average of $91,410 within ten years of completing their degrees. This figure highlights the strong return on investment that a Lafayette education can offer. With a graduation rate of 88%, it’s clear that students are not just enrolling here; they’re succeeding. This high success rate indicates that the college is effectively supporting students in their academic journeys, and that many are moving on to thriving careers.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid is around $34,433, with a median debt load of $16,000 for graduates. This manageable debt level suggests that students can graduate with less financial burden, allowing them to focus on their careers and life after college. Lafayette tends to attract motivated individuals who are eager to make the most of their college experience, contributing to a vibrant campus culture where students thrive both academically and socially.
Rankings They Appear On
Lafayette College is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 33% of Holy Cross's student body and 30% of Lafayette's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Lafayette).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Lafayette College concentrates in Engineering. 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 Lafayette College?
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, admitting 18% of applicants compared with 31% at Lafayette College.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Lafayette College?
Lafayette College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,433 after aid versus $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Lafayette College graduates earn more?
Lafayette College graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,410 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 Lafayette College?
College of the Holy Cross has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 88%.
College of the Holy Cross vs Lafayette College: which is better for social mobility?
Lafayette College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Lafayette College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Lafayette College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose College of the Holy Cross if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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