Notre Dame vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 2,128 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Notre Dame vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College than Notre Dame ($28,047 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 1.8% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($17,586 vs. $17,900).
• Carleton College is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $3,867 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Carleton College than at University of Notre Dame (about $3,867 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Carleton College (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 5.3% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($56,846 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame or Carleton College? 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 Carleton College and Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is the same as at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Notre Dame vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Carleton College? 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 Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Notre Dame students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 92%)

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.