Head-to-head comparison
Wentworth Institute of Technology vs College of the Holy Cross: which has better ROI?
Option A Boston, MA
Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Net price / year
- $34,170
- Earnings, 10 years
- $82,721
- Payback
- 4 yrs
Option B Worcester, MA
College of the Holy Cross
- Net price / year
- $38,782
- Earnings, 10 years
- $90,543
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
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.)
| Measure | Wentworth Institute of Technology | College 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 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $550,540 | $688,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.