Notre Dame vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between University of Notre Dame and University of Dayton? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Notre Dame
University of Dayton

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Notre Dame Rural Fringe
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Notre Dame 13,042
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Notre Dame Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Notre Dame #27
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Notre Dame Roman Catholic
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Notre Dame Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Notre Dame
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Notre Dame $65,025
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Notre Dame $65,025
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Notre Dame $17,900
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Notre Dame $29,300
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Notre Dame $53,971
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Notre Dame 61%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Notre Dame 29,942
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Notre Dame 3,374
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Notre Dame 11.3%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Notre Dame 61.7%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Notre Dame 1510
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Notre Dame 34
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Notre Dame 3.91
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Notre Dame A
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Notre Dame Elite
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Notre Dame Very High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Notre Dame 33/35
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Notre Dame 1455/1560
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Notre Dame Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Notre Dame 8:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Notre Dame
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Notre Dame 96%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Notre Dame $89,800
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Notre Dame 92%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Notre Dame $21,500
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Notre Dame $222
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Notre Dame 52%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Notre Dame 48%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Notre Dame Medium
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Notre Dame No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Notre Dame 69%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Notre Dame 6%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Notre Dame 4%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Notre Dame 11%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Notre Dame 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Notre Dame 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Notre Dame 4%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Notre Dame 6%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Notre Dame 1%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Notre Dame 8%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Notre Dame 82%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Notre Dame Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Notre Dame No
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Notre Dame Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Notre Dame No
  • University of Dayton No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Notre Dame No
  • University of Dayton Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Notre Dame vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton ($29,300 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dayton are 6.1% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($16,800 vs. $17,900).
  • University of Notre Dame is 32.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dayton (about $15,885 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 32.3% higher at Notre Dame than at University of Dayton (about $15,885 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at University of Notre Dame (95% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 61.5% larger than aid received by University of Dayton students ($53,971 vs. $33,418).

Notre Dame vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and Notre Dame .

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 220 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Notre Dame students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University of Dayton (3.77).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Notre Dame vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $32,500 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dayton students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 84%)

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.