Notre Dame vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

Notre Dame vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($29,300 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 8.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,900 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $2,341 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Oberlin than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,341 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at University of Notre Dame (99% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 50.8% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($53,971 vs. $35,780).

Notre Dame vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 70 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Notre Dame vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Oberlin? 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $45,900 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $5,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($222 vs. $274).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 82%)

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.