Degree Dividend
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Centenary College of Louisiana vs University of Holy Cross: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Shreveport LA · vs · Private nonprofit, New Orleans LA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Centenary College of Louisiana has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $94,496 in 48 years versus 65.4 years at University of Holy Cross, on median earnings of $50,330 vs $49,316 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentenary College of LouisianaUniversity of Holy Cross
Net price / yr$23,624$15,635
Total net cost$94,496$62,540
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,330$49,316
Median debt$27,000$26,995
Payback48 yrs65.4 yrs
20-year net return-$55,096-$43,420

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

Which is cheaper, Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross?

University of Holy Cross, at $15,635 a year after aid versus $23,624 — a gap of $7,989 a year, or $31,956 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross graduates earn more?

Centenary College of Louisiana graduates report a median $50,330 ten years after entry, $1,014 more than the $49,316 at University of Holy Cross. 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, Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross?

University of Holy Cross: its completers carry a median $26,995 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Centenary College of Louisiana, a difference of $5. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at Centenary College of Louisiana, against 49% at University of Holy Cross. 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.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs University of Holy Cross: frequently asked questions

Is Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross a better value?
Centenary College of Louisiana. It clears its $94,496 net cost in about 48 years versus 65.4 years at University of Holy Cross, on median earnings of $50,330 vs $49,316 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross?
University of Holy Cross: $15,635/yr net price after aid versus $23,624/yr at Centenary College of Louisiana — a difference of $7,989 a year, or about $31,956 over four years.
Do Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross graduates earn more?
Centenary College of Louisiana graduates earn a median $50,330 ten years after entry, versus $49,316 at University of Holy Cross — a $1,014 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.