Notre Dame vs. Hillsdale College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 1,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Notre Dame vs. Hillsdale College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale College than Notre Dame ($23,993 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hillsdale College are 24% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($13,600 vs. $17,900).
• University of Notre Dame is 95.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hillsdale College (about $31,836 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.9% higher at Notre Dame than at Hillsdale College (about $31,836 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $33,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hillsdale College than at University of Notre Dame (99% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 121.8% larger than aid received by Hillsdale College students ($53,971 vs. $24,328).

Notre Dame vs. Hillsdale College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 100 points higher than at Hillsdale College (1410).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Hillsdale College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Hillsdale College 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Hillsdale College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Hillsdale College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Hillsdale College Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Hillsdale College has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 55.5% at Hillsdale College.

Notre Dame vs. Hillsdale College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Hillsdale 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).

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.