Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Northwestern University
- Holy Cross Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 17
- Northwestern Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Northwestern University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,167 vs College of the Holy Cross's $38,782, Northwestern University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Northwestern University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 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, 1% more than Northwestern University
Northwestern
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,167, roughly $9,615 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 8% 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); Northwestern in Social Sciences (16%). 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 Northwestern University. Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment vs $89,363.
Pick Northwestern University over College of the Holy Cross. Net price $29,167 vs $38,782.
Pick Northwestern University over College of the Holy Cross. 1.7% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Northwestern University over College of the Holy Cross. 96% 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 Northwestern University are close on paper, but Northwestern 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
Northwestern University is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while College of the Holy Cross takes 18%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,533.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Northwestern 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, Northwestern University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,167, about $9,615 a year below College of the Holy Cross's $38,782. Graduates of Northwestern University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $38,460 before any change in aid. Choosing Northwestern University 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 $89,363 at Northwestern University. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Northwestern University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x 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.
Finishing the degree
Northwestern University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% 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
Northwestern University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at College of the Holy Cross, it is 1%. Northwestern University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Northwestern 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 Northwestern University 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. Northwestern University saves about $9,615 a year, yet College of the Holy Cross graduates earn $1,180 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 Northwestern University leans toward Communications, 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 Northwestern University's $29,167.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $15,000 at Northwestern University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Northwestern University's enrollment of 9,201 far exceeds College of the Holy Cross's 3,106.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Northwestern 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
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.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit
Northwestern University has an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating strong student support and academic success. This high rate reflects the university’s commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time. With an acceptance rate of just 8%, gaining admission is highly competitive, attracting top talent from across the country.
The earnings potential for graduates is significant, with a 10-year median income of $89,363. This figure suggests that students who attend Northwestern can expect a strong return on their investment. However, 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which highlights that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, yet still have the opportunity to thrive here.
The net price for attending Northwestern is $29,167, and the median debt is relatively low at $15,000, making it more manageable for graduates. Students who excel here often pursue majors in engineering, social sciences, and communications. Those who thrive at Northwestern are typically motivated and high-achieving individuals, ready to engage in a challenging academic environment.
Rankings They Appear On
Northwestern University is featured on the Best Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 33% of Holy Cross's student body and 16% of Northwestern's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Northwestern).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences, while Northwestern University concentrates in Communications, Engineering, Computer Science & IT. 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 Northwestern University?
Northwestern University is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Northwestern University?
Northwestern University is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,167 after aid versus $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Northwestern University graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,363 at Northwestern University.
Which has a better graduation rate, College of the Holy Cross or Northwestern University?
Northwestern University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 88%.
College of the Holy Cross vs Northwestern University: which is better for social mobility?
Northwestern University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 1%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Northwestern University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Northwestern University 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Holy Cross and Northwestern stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
