Head-to-Head Comparison
College of the Holy Cross vs Washington and Lee University
- Holy Cross Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 15
- Washington Lee Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington and Lee University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $23,781 vs College of the Holy Cross's $38,782, Washington and Lee University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Washington and Lee University'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
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Washington Lee
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than College of the Holy Cross
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,781, roughly $15,001 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% 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); Washington Lee in Business & Marketing (32%). 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 Washington and Lee University over College of the Holy Cross. Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment vs $90,543.
Pick Washington and Lee University over College of the Holy Cross. Net price $23,781 vs $38,782.
Pick College of the Holy Cross over Washington and Lee University. 1% mobility rate vs 0.6%.
Pick Washington and Lee University over College of the Holy Cross. 94% 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 Washington and Lee University are close on paper, but Washington and Lee 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
Washington and Lee University is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while College of the Holy Cross takes 18%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,498.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington and Lee 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, Washington and Lee University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,781, about $15,001 a year below College of the Holy Cross's $38,782. Graduates of Washington and Lee University also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $60,004 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington and Lee University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Washington and Lee University graduates report median earnings of $94,810, compared with $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington and Lee University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% 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
Washington and Lee University graduates a larger share of its students, 94% 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
College of the Holy Cross does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1%; at Washington and Lee University, it is 0.6%. College of the Holy Cross also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.1%.
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 Washington and Lee University to keep costs and debt down; pick College of the Holy Cross if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Washington and Lee University is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but College of the Holy Cross posts the higher mobility rate, at 1%. 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 Washington and Lee University leans toward Business & Marketing. 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 Washington and Lee University's $23,781.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,500 at Washington and Lee University.
- Business and consulting-track students: College of the Holy Cross has less business program depth, and Washington and Lee University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: College of the Holy Cross's enrollment of 3,106 far exceeds Washington and Lee University's 1,881.
No strong negative signals — Washington Lee competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington Lee 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
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.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Washington and Lee University draws students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This private institution, located in Lexington, Virginia, is known for strong programs in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. If you’re looking for a place that encourages critical thinking and a close-knit community, this might just be the right fit for you.
Graduates from Washington and Lee see impressive earnings, with a median income of $94,810 ten years after graduation. This kind of financial outcome suggests that students who excel here are well-prepared for the job market and often find themselves in higher-paying positions. The strong graduation rate of 94% also points to a supportive environment that helps students succeed academically and transition smoothly into their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Washington and Lee, the net price after aid stands at $23,781, which is relatively manageable given the high earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $19,500, students can graduate with a reasonable amount of loans, especially considering the high salaries many alumni achieve. Those who thrive here are typically driven, engaged, and ready to make the most of their educational experience.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington and Lee University is featured on the Best Colleges in Virginia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Holy Cross's top program is Sociology (33% of enrollment), while Washington Lee leads with Business Administration (32%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Environmental Scientist, Research Scientist, Chemist (for Holy Cross) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Washington Lee).
The two schools feed different job markets. College of the Holy Cross is strongest in Physical Sciences, while Washington and Lee University concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross.
Which is more affordable, College of the Holy Cross or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,781 after aid versus $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross.
Do College of the Holy Cross or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates earn more: median earnings of $94,810 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 Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 88%.
College of the Holy Cross vs Washington and Lee 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 0.6%.
Should you choose College of the Holy Cross or Washington and Lee University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington and Lee University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose College of the Holy Cross if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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