Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Holy Cross College

Based on comparable liberal arts programs in Indiana, Holy Cross College graduates appear to face an earnings disadvantage from the start. The estimated $35,900 first-year salary sits near the state median for this credential, but other Indiana schools—including nearby Notre Dame—report outcomes $10,000 to $15,000 higher. With estimated debt around $27,000, the financial burden isn't crushing by itself, but combined with below-average early earnings, the payback timeline stretches longer than it would at peer institutions.

The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests roughly three-quarters of a year's salary in loans—manageable in theory, but only if earnings grow steadily. Liberal arts degrees often take time to translate into higher pay, and starting behind comparable programs means playing catch-up. The 74% admission rate and modest Pell grant enrollment (29%) indicate this isn't primarily serving students who might benefit most from affordable access to a bachelor's degree, which raises questions about value relative to cost.

For families evaluating Holy Cross, the key question is whether the smaller campus experience justifies the financial trade-off. If your student values the intimate setting and can graduate with minimal debt beyond federal loans, it could work. But if borrowing approaches or exceeds these estimates, stronger-performing programs in Indiana offer clearer financial returns for the same credential.