Yale vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); University of Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

Yale vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale or Notre Dame ? 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 Yale University than Notre Dame ($22,408 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 10.1% lower than at Yale University ($17,900 vs. $19,900).
• Yale University is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $2,225 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Yale than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,225 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Yale University (61% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 22.1% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($65,892 vs. $53,971).

Yale vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 10 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Notre Dame (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; University of Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

Yale vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and Notre Dame ? 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than University of Notre Dame's (96%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $28,600 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($13,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($139 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale 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.