Notre Dame vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (16,357 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); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

Notre Dame vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis than Notre Dame ($22,408 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 18.1% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($17,900 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $765 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at WUSTL than at University of Notre Dame (about $765 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Washington University in St Louis (61% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 22.4% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($66,080 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (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 WUSTL (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Notre Dame vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis's (93%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $1,600 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($19,900 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WUSTL students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 88%)

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.