Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Quinnipiac University
- Holy Cross Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 10
- Quinnipiac 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 Quinnipiac University's $40,675, 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 Quinnipiac University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,782, roughly $1,893 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 18% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Quinnipiac
- Less debt: Median debt of $26,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Holy Cross graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% of degrees); Quinnipiac in Health Professions (35%). 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 Quinnipiac University. Median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment vs $83,759.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Quinnipiac University. Net price $38,782 vs $40,675.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Quinnipiac University. 1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Quinnipiac University. 88% completion rate vs 77%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
College of the Holy Cross and Quinnipiac University are close on paper, but College of the Holy Cross 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
College of the Holy Cross is the harder admit. It takes 18% of applicants, while Quinnipiac University takes 72%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,242.
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 $1,893 a year below Quinnipiac University's $40,675. Graduates of Quinnipiac University also borrow less: median debt of $26,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $7,572 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 $83,759 at Quinnipiac University. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, College of the Holy Cross has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.3x to 0.31x.
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 77%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% 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
College of the Holy Cross does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1%; at Quinnipiac University, it is 0.9%. College of the Holy Cross also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, College of the Holy Cross 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.
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
Their academic identities diverge. College of the Holy Cross concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Quinnipiac University leans toward Health Professions, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: College of the Holy Cross has less business program depth, and Quinnipiac University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Quinnipiac University's enrollment of 6,531 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.
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofit
Quinnipiac University serves over 6,500 students, with a graduation rate of 77%. This indicates a strong support system helping students to complete their degrees. The university maintains a 72% acceptance rate, making it a viable option for many applicants seeking a private education.
The earning potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $83,759 ten years after graduation. While the specifics on mobility and economic connectedness are not provided, the solid earnings indicate that many graduates find success in their fields. The university's focus on health professions, business, and communications aligns well with job market demands.
Financially, students face a net price of $40,675, and the median student debt stands at $26,000. This suggests that while the cost of attendance is significant, many graduates are able to manage their debt effectively thanks to their earning potential. Quinnipiac attracts students who thrive in collaborative and career-oriented environments, particularly in programs like health professions and business.
Rankings They Appear On
Quinnipiac University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Holy Cross's top program is Sociology (33% of enrollment), while Quinnipiac leads with Nursing (BSN) (35%).
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 Quinnipiac).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, while Quinnipiac University concentrates in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications. 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 Quinnipiac University?
College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, admitting 18% of applicants compared with 72% at Quinnipiac University.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Quinnipiac University?
College of the Holy Cross is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,782 after aid versus $40,675 at Quinnipiac University.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Quinnipiac University graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,543 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,759 at Quinnipiac University.
Which has a better graduation rate, College of the Holy Cross or Quinnipiac University?
College of the Holy Cross has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 77%.
College of the Holy Cross vs Quinnipiac University: which is better for social mobility?
College of the Holy Cross is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Quinnipiac University?
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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