University of Massachusetts-Boston vs College of the Holy Cross: which has better ROI?
College of the Holy Cross has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $155,128 in 3.7 years versus 4 years at University of Massachusetts-Boston, on median earnings of $90,543 vs $65,865 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Boston | College of the Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,707 | $38,782 |
| Total net cost | $70,828 | $155,128 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,865 | $90,543 |
| Median debt | $21,974 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,272 | $688,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Boston or College of the Holy Cross?
University of Massachusetts-Boston, at $17,707 a year after aid versus $38,782 — a gap of $21,075 a year, or $84,300 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Massachusetts-Boston or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates report a median $90,543 ten years after entry, $24,678 more than the $65,865 at University of Massachusetts-Boston. 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, University of Massachusetts-Boston or College of the Holy Cross?
University of Massachusetts-Boston: its completers carry a median $21,974 in federal loans versus $27,000 at College of the Holy Cross, a difference of $5,026. 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 49% at University of Massachusetts-Boston. 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.