Northwestern vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); University of Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

Northwestern vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Notre Dame ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern University than Notre Dame ($26,830 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 15.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($17,900 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $3,297 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at Northwestern than at University of Notre Dame (about $3,297 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Northwestern University (61% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 19.4% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($64,429 vs. $53,971).

Northwestern vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Notre Dame ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Notre Dame and Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Notre Dame (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; University of Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

Northwestern vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Notre Dame ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Northwestern University's (94%).
• Graduates of Northwestern University and Notre Dame have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $89,800), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $2,122 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($19,378 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($200 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.