Head-to-head comparison
Centenary College of Louisiana vs University of Holy Cross: which has better ROI?
Option A Shreveport, LA
Centenary College of Louisiana
- Net price / year
- $23,624
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,330
- Payback
- 48 yrs
Option B New Orleans, LA
University of Holy Cross
- Net price / year
- $15,635
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,316
- Payback
- 65.4 yrs
Centenary College of Louisiana has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $94,496 in 48 years versus 65.4 years at University of Holy Cross, on median earnings of $50,330 vs $49,316 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Centenary College of Louisiana | University of Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,624 | $15,635 |
| Total net cost | $94,496 | $62,540 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,330 | $49,316 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,995 |
| Payback | 48 yrs | 65.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$55,096 | -$43,420 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross?
University of Holy Cross, at $15,635 a year after aid versus $23,624 — a gap of $7,989 a year, or $31,956 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross graduates earn more?
Centenary College of Louisiana graduates report a median $50,330 ten years after entry, $1,014 more than the $49,316 at University of Holy Cross. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Centenary College of Louisiana or University of Holy Cross?
University of Holy Cross: its completers carry a median $26,995 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Centenary College of Louisiana, a difference of $5. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Centenary College of Louisiana, against 49% at University of Holy Cross. 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.