Accounting at College of the Holy Cross

Holy Cross accounting graduates command $73,234 in starting salary—a solid $7,930 above the Massachusetts median and nearly $20,000 above the national average. That puts this program in the top tier nationally, though within Massachusetts it sits at the 60th percentile, trailing Boston College and Bentley by a small margin. For context, you're getting Boston College-level outcomes at a school where accounting isn't the primary identity, which speaks well to Holy Cross's liberal arts foundation and network strength.

The debt picture looks manageable: $27,000 is essentially on par with typical accounting program debt, yielding a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that graduates could reasonably pay down in under four years. That's a favorable setup for a professional field where CPAs often see steady salary progression. The 21% admission rate signals selectivity, and Holy Cross's strong alumni network in the Northeast historically opens doors at regional accounting firms and corporate finance departments.

The main caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional outcome or career path could skew these numbers. But if your child is drawn to Holy Cross for its liberal arts environment and wants to pursue accounting, this data suggests they won't sacrifice earning potential for that broader education. They're positioned to enter the field on solid financial footing.