University of Holy Cross — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Holy Cross charges a net price of $15,635/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $62,540. Graduates earn a median $49,316 ten years after entry, $956/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 65.4 years — a 20-year net return of -$43,420, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Holy Cross's 65.4-year payback ranks #1,208 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 6% of them, and #11 of 52 in Louisiana.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,635/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $62,540 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,316 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $956/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,995 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 65.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$43,420 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Holy Cross's own numbers. Net price $15,635 × 4 years = $62,540 total. Median earnings $49,316 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $956 a year of premium. $62,540 ÷ $956 = 65.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$43,420. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Holy Cross students graduate with?
A median $26,995 in federal loans among completers, or 55% of the $49,316 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Holy Cross students graduate?
49% finish their degree — 51% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $62,540 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $127,633 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Holy Cross expensive compared with other Louisiana colleges?
Its $15,635 net price runs $1,741 above the $13,895 median across the 52 Louisiana colleges we profile, or $6,962 more across the full degree.