Notre Dame vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Notre Dame vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Carnegie Mellon? 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 University of Notre Dame than Carnegie Mellon ($29,300 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 1.5% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,900 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $1,221 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Notre Dame (about $1,221 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Carnegie Mellon University (61% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($53,971 vs. $48,107).

Notre Dame vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon and Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Carnegie Mellon (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Notre Dame vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($222 vs. $271).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carnegie Mellon students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.