Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (13,575 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); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Notre Dame ($25,186 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 18.8% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($17,900 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $2,473 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Vanderbilt than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,473 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at University of Notre Dame (67% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 19.3% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($64,404 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($14,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($144 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.