Notre Dame vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Villanova based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 10,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Notre Dame vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($29,300 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 1.2% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($17,694 vs. $17,900).
• Villanova University is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $2,751 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Villanova than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,751 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Villanova University (61% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($53,971 vs. $47,609).

Notre Dame vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 60 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Notre Dame vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Villanova graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $85,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $4,997 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($222 vs. $273).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Villanova students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

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.