University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth 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 4.1 years at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, on median earnings of $90,543 vs $68,804 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | College of the Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,927 | $38,782 |
| Total net cost | $83,708 | $155,128 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,804 | $90,543 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $325,172 | $688,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth or College of the Holy Cross?
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, at $20,927 a year after aid versus $38,782 — a gap of $17,855 a year, or $71,420 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-Dartmouth or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
College of the Holy Cross graduates report a median $90,543 ten years after entry, $21,739 more than the $68,804 at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. 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-Dartmouth or College of the Holy Cross?
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at College of the Holy Cross, a difference of $2,000. 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 52% at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. 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.