Notre Dame vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Notre Dame vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or RPI? 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 RPI ($29,300 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 1.2% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,900 vs. $18,120).
• University of Notre Dame is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $944 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Notre Dame than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $944 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at University of Notre Dame (95% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 24% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($53,971 vs. $43,517).

Notre Dame vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 70 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Notre Dame vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than RPI graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $82,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RPI 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.