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Head-to-head comparison

Worcester Polytechnic Institute vs College of the Holy Cross: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Worcester MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Worcester MA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Net price / year
$43,071
Earnings, 10 years
$103,470
Payback
3.1 yrs

Option B Worcester, MA

College of the Holy Cross

Net price / year
$38,782
Earnings, 10 years
$90,543
Payback
3.7 yrs
The verdict

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $172,284 in 3.1 years versus 3.7 years at College of the Holy Cross, on median earnings of $103,470 vs $90,543 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWorcester Polytechnic InstituteCollege of the Holy Cross
Net price / yr$43,071$38,782
Total net cost$172,284$155,128
Median earnings, 10 yrs$103,470$90,543
Median debt$27,000$27,000
Payback3.1 yrs3.7 yrs
20-year net return$929,916$688,532

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Worcester Polytechnic Institute or College of the Holy Cross?

College of the Holy Cross, at $38,782 a year after aid versus $43,071 — a gap of $4,289 a year, or $17,156 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?

Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates report a median $103,470 ten years after entry, $12,927 more than the $90,543 at College of the 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute or College of the Holy Cross?

Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, against 87% at College of the 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.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute vs College of the Holy Cross: frequently asked questions

Is Worcester Polytechnic Institute or College of the Holy Cross a better value?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It clears its $172,284 net cost in about 3.1 years versus 3.7 years at College of the Holy Cross, on median earnings of $103,470 vs $90,543 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Worcester Polytechnic Institute or College of the Holy Cross?
College of the Holy Cross: $38,782/yr net price after aid versus $43,071/yr at Worcester Polytechnic Institute — a difference of $4,289 a year, or about $17,156 over four years.
Do Worcester Polytechnic Institute or College of the Holy Cross graduates earn more?
Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a median $103,470 ten years after entry, versus $90,543 at College of the Holy Cross — a $12,927 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.