Notre Dame vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (26,793 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); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Notre Dame vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Cornell? 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 Cornell University than Notre Dame ($26,361 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 7.9% lower than at Cornell University ($17,900 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $4,289 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Cornell than at University of Notre Dame (about $4,289 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Cornell University (61% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 14.5% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($61,779 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell 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 Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Notre Dame vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Cornell? 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 Cornell University's (93%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($124 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell 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.