Head-to-head comparison
University of Indianapolis vs Holy Cross College: which has better ROI?
Option A Indianapolis, IN
University of Indianapolis
- Net price / year
- $21,602
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,610
- Payback
- 16.5 yrs
Option B Notre Dame, IN
Holy Cross College
- Net price / year
- $26,728
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,416
- Payback
- 52 yrs
University of Indianapolis has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,408 in 16.5 years versus 52 years at Holy Cross College, on median earnings of $53,610 vs $50,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Indianapolis | Holy Cross College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,602 | $26,728 |
| Total net cost | $86,408 | $106,912 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,610 | $50,416 |
| Median debt | $26,864 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 16.5 yrs | 52 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,592 | -$65,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Indianapolis or Holy Cross College?
University of Indianapolis, at $21,602 a year after aid versus $26,728 — a gap of $5,126 a year, or $20,504 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 University of Indianapolis or Holy Cross College graduates earn more?
University of Indianapolis graduates report a median $53,610 ten years after entry, $3,194 more than the $50,416 at Holy Cross College. 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, University of Indianapolis or Holy Cross College?
Holy Cross College: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $26,864 at University of Indianapolis, a difference of $2,864. 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?
73% of students finish at Holy Cross College, against 56% at University of Indianapolis. 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.