Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Purdue University-Main Campus
- Holy Cross Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 16
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While College of the Holy Cross achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $38,782 compared to Purdue University-Main Campus's $14,600 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Purdue University-Main Campus's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 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, 25% more than Purdue University
- 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
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $24,182 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Holy Cross graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% of degrees); Purdue University-Main in Engineering (25%). 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 Purdue University. Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over College of the Holy Cross. Net price $14,600 vs $38,782.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Purdue University. 88% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
College of the Holy Cross and Purdue University are close on paper, but College of the Holy Cross wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 Purdue University takes 50%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,364.
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, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $24,182 a year below College of the Holy Cross's $38,782. Graduates of Purdue University also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $96,728 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue 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 $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, Purdue University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.27x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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 Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick College of the Holy Cross for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $24,182 a year, yet College of the Holy Cross graduates earn $18,119 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 Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Purdue University leans toward Engineering, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT. 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 Purdue University's $14,600.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,500 at Purdue University.
- Engineering-focused students: Purdue University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: College of the Holy Cross has less business program depth, and Purdue University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds College of the Holy Cross's 3,106.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Purdue University-Main 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
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.
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
Rankings They Appear On
Purdue University-Main Campus is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Holy Cross's top program is Sociology (33% of enrollment), while Purdue University-Main leads with Mechanical Engineering (25%).
Purdue University-Main
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 Purdue University-Main).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Social Sciences, Psychology, Physical Sciences, while Purdue University concentrates in Engineering, Business & Marketing, 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 Purdue University?
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, admitting 18% of applicants compared with 50% at Purdue University.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Purdue University?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Purdue University graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, College of the Holy Cross or Purdue University?
College of the Holy Cross has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 83%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Purdue University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue 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.
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