Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Holy Cross #956 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,842, placing University of Holy Cross in the 63.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Holy Cross sits in the 83.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks University of Holy Cross #956 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in New Orleans, Louisiana, University of Holy Cross enrolls roughly 471 undergraduates. Retention is 71.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.6%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. University of Holy Cross draws strength from its focus on health-related fields and its commitment to serving low-income and first-generation students. 27.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 49.0% are first-generation college students. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,842, and earn about $8,443 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Holy Cross in the 83.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Holy Cross #423 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite reflects balanced performance across access and mobility. University of Holy Cross sits in the 9.7 percentile for access and the 5.8 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a health-focused institution serving a predominantly low-income student body in a major urban market, University of Holy Cross positions graduates for careers in nursing, allied health, and related fields where regional demand remains strong and outcomes align with the institution's mission-driven identity.
University of Holy Cross's published cost of attendance is $27,541. Net price by income band varies meaningfully: low-income families pay approximately $14,202, middle-income families pay around $15,314, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,087. Azimuth ranks University of Holy Cross #524 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Holy Cross's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Institutional aid is the primary lever for reshaping net price across income bands, and the variation shown above reflects the depth of that commitment to different family income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,995, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,842, median federal debt of $26,995 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Holy Cross is a strong fit for students interested in health fields who want a private nonprofit college experience in New Orleans, LA. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $62,842, placing University of Holy Cross in the 63.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,443 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 83.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 27.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 49.0% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place University of Holy Cross in the 49.7 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 73.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Holy Cross hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Holy Cross's published cost of attendance is $27,541. Net price by income band varies meaningfully: low-income families pay approximately $14,202, middle-income families pay around $15,314, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,087.
Azimuth ranks University of Holy Cross #524 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
University of Holy Cross's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Institutional aid is the primary lever for reshaping net price across income bands, and the variation shown above reflects the depth of that commitment to different family income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,995, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,842, median federal debt of $26,995 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Holy Cross earn median 4-year earnings of $62,842, placing the institution in the 63.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,443 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Holy Cross in the 83.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Holy Cross #423 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Holy Cross's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 34 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $83,877, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. Other substantial programs include Student Counseling and Personnel Services with 9 graduates, Biology, General with 9 graduates, and Teacher Education with 6 graduates.
This program portfolio, anchored in Health, drives consistent outcomes for graduates entering stable, in-demand career pathways in the New Orleans region and beyond.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andrews University Similar quality tier (#25990 ranked) | MI | 82% | $53,187 | #25990 | Compare |
Andrew College Similar quality tier (#25984 ranked) | GA | 46% | $38,475 | #25984 | Compare |
Washington & Jefferson College Similar quality tier (#25998 ranked) | PA | 81% | $67,918 | #25998 | Compare |
Agnes Scott College Similar quality tier (#25972 ranked) | GA | 62% | $56,274 | #25972 | Compare |
Soka University Of America Similar quality tier (#25971 ranked) | CA | 43% | $55,017 | #25971 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
34 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
6 graduates
University of Holy Cross's program mix is anchored in health-related fields, reflecting the institution's mission-driven focus on service and healthcare education. Nursing is the largest program with 34 graduates, followed by Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Biology, General, Teacher Education, and Psychology, General.
Across 7 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several positioned to deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with the institution's health-professions identity. Nursing combines meaningful enrollment scale with solid earnings, anchoring the institution's economic profile.
Nursing leads the earnings distribution, with graduates earning $83,877 four years after enrollment [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). The concentration in Health — representing 15% of graduates — reflects Holy Cross's positioning as a health-professions-focused institution where direct-to-workforce pathways dominate the degree portfolio.
Several of these programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the healthcare and allied-health labor markets directly, with earnings reflecting immediate professional demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with national healthcare workforce trends and regional employment opportunities in the New Orleans area.
