Head-to-head comparison
Loyola University New Orleans vs University of Holy Cross: which has better ROI?
Option A New Orleans, LA
Loyola University New Orleans
- Net price / year
- $23,696
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,927
- Payback
- 20.8 yrs
Option B New Orleans, LA
University of Holy Cross
- Net price / year
- $15,635
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,316
- Payback
- 65.4 yrs
Loyola University New Orleans has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $94,784 in 20.8 years versus 65.4 years at University of Holy Cross, on median earnings of $52,927 vs $49,316 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Loyola University New Orleans | University of Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,696 | $15,635 |
| Total net cost | $94,784 | $62,540 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,927 | $49,316 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $26,995 |
| Payback | 20.8 yrs | 65.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$3,444 | -$43,420 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Loyola University New Orleans or University of Holy Cross?
University of Holy Cross, at $15,635 a year after aid versus $23,696 — a gap of $8,061 a year, or $32,244 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 Loyola University New Orleans or University of Holy Cross graduates earn more?
Loyola University New Orleans graduates report a median $52,927 ten years after entry, $3,611 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, Loyola University New Orleans or University of Holy Cross?
Loyola University New Orleans: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $26,995 at University of Holy Cross, a difference of $995. 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?
59% of students finish at Loyola University New Orleans, 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.