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Quinsigamond Community College vs College of the Holy Cross: which has better ROI?

Public, Worcester MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Worcester MA

The verdict

College of the Holy Cross has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $155,128 in 3.7 years versus not at all at Quinsigamond Community College, on median earnings of $90,543 vs $45,949 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureQuinsigamond Community CollegeCollege of the Holy Cross
Net price / yr$9,090$38,782
Total net cost$18,180$155,128
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,949$90,543
Median debt$16,575$27,000
Payback3.7 yrs
20-year net return-$66,400$688,532

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

Which is cheaper, Quinsigamond Community College or College of the Holy Cross?

Quinsigamond Community College, at $9,090 a year after aid versus $38,782 — a gap of $29,692 a year, or $136,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Quinsigamond Community College or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?

College of the Holy Cross graduates report a median $90,543 ten years after entry, $44,594 more than the $45,949 at Quinsigamond Community 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, Quinsigamond Community College or College of the Holy Cross?

Quinsigamond Community College: its completers carry a median $16,575 in federal loans versus $27,000 at College of the Holy Cross, a difference of $10,425. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

87% of students finish at College of the Holy Cross, against 22% at Quinsigamond Community 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.

Quinsigamond Community College vs College of the Holy Cross: frequently asked questions

Is Quinsigamond Community College or College of the Holy Cross a better value?
College of the Holy Cross. It clears its $155,128 net cost in about 3.7 years versus no clear payback at Quinsigamond Community College, on median earnings of $90,543 vs $45,949 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Quinsigamond Community College or College of the Holy Cross?
Quinsigamond Community College: $9,090/yr net price after aid versus $38,782/yr at College of the Holy Cross — a difference of $29,692 a year, or about $136,948 over four years.
Do Quinsigamond Community College or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates earn a median $90,543 ten years after entry, versus $45,949 at Quinsigamond Community College — a $44,594 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.