Earlham College vs Holy Cross College: which has better ROI?
Earlham College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,856 in 40.6 years versus 52 years at Holy Cross College, on median earnings of $50,797 vs $50,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Earlham College | Holy Cross College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,714 | $26,728 |
| Total net cost | $98,856 | $106,912 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,797 | $50,416 |
| Median debt | $23,488 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 40.6 yrs | 52 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$50,116 | -$65,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Earlham College or Holy Cross College?
Earlham College, at $24,714 a year after aid versus $26,728 — a gap of $2,014 a year, or $8,056 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Earlham College or Holy Cross College graduates earn more?
Earlham College graduates report a median $50,797 ten years after entry, $381 more than the $50,416 at Holy Cross College. 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, Earlham College or Holy Cross College?
Earlham College: its completers carry a median $23,488 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Holy Cross College, a difference of $512. 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 69% at Earlham College. 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.