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Wentworth Institute of Technology vs College of the Holy Cross: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Boston 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 4 years at Wentworth Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $90,543 vs $82,721 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWentworth Institute of TechnologyCollege of the Holy Cross
Net price / yr$34,170$38,782
Total net cost$136,680$155,128
Median earnings, 10 yrs$82,721$90,543
Median debt$25,028$27,000
Payback4 yrs3.7 yrs
20-year net return$550,540$688,532

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

Which is cheaper, Wentworth Institute of Technology or College of the Holy Cross?

Wentworth Institute of Technology, at $34,170 a year after aid versus $38,782 — a gap of $4,612 a year, or $18,448 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wentworth Institute of Technology or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?

College of the Holy Cross graduates report a median $90,543 ten years after entry, $7,822 more than the $82,721 at Wentworth Institute of Technology. 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, Wentworth Institute of Technology or College of the Holy Cross?

Wentworth Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $25,028 in federal loans versus $27,000 at College of the Holy Cross, a difference of $1,972. 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 68% at Wentworth Institute of Technology. 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.

Wentworth Institute of Technology vs College of the Holy Cross: frequently asked questions

Is Wentworth Institute of Technology 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 4 years at Wentworth Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $90,543 vs $82,721 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wentworth Institute of Technology or College of the Holy Cross?
Wentworth Institute of Technology: $34,170/yr net price after aid versus $38,782/yr at College of the Holy Cross — a difference of $4,612 a year, or about $18,448 over four years.
Do Wentworth Institute of Technology 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 $82,721 at Wentworth Institute of Technology — a $7,822 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.