Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Anderson University vs Holy Cross College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Anderson IN · vs · Private nonprofit, Notre Dame IN

The verdict

Holy Cross College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,912 in 52 years versus 185.7 years at Anderson University, on median earnings of $50,416 vs $48,899 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAnderson UniversityHoly Cross College
Net price / yr$25,021$26,728
Total net cost$100,084$106,912
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,899$50,416
Median debt$27,000$24,000
Payback185.7 yrs52 yrs
20-year net return-$89,304-$65,792

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Anderson University or Holy Cross College?

Anderson University, at $25,021 a year after aid versus $26,728 — a gap of $1,707 a year, or $6,828 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Anderson University or Holy Cross College graduates earn more?

Holy Cross College graduates report a median $50,416 ten years after entry, $1,517 more than the $48,899 at Anderson University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Anderson University or Holy Cross College?

Holy Cross College: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Anderson University, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at Holy Cross College, against 54% at Anderson University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Anderson University vs Holy Cross College: frequently asked questions

Is Anderson University or Holy Cross College a better value?
Holy Cross College. It clears its $106,912 net cost in about 52 years versus 185.7 years at Anderson University, on median earnings of $50,416 vs $48,899 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Anderson University or Holy Cross College?
Anderson University: $25,021/yr net price after aid versus $26,728/yr at Holy Cross College — a difference of $1,707 a year, or about $6,828 over four years.
Do Anderson University or Holy Cross College graduates earn more?
Holy Cross College graduates earn a median $50,416 ten years after entry, versus $48,899 at Anderson University — a $1,517 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.