Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs University of Notre Dame
- Barnard Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 17
- Notre Dame Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Barnard College's $28,800, University of Notre Dame delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose University of Notre Dame benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $99,980 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Barnard
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 24% more than Barnard College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $2,020 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Notre Dame in Business & Marketing (27%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Notre Dame over Barnard College. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Barnard College. Net price $26,780 vs $28,800.
Pick Barnard College over University of Notre Dame. 3.5% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Barnard College. 96% completion rate vs 93%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and University of Notre Dame split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Barnard College is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while University of Notre Dame takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Barnard College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Notre Dame comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $26,780, about $2,020 a year below Barnard College's $28,800. Graduates of Barnard College also borrow less: median debt of $18,000, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $8,080 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Notre Dame leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Notre Dame graduates report median earnings of $99,980, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 24% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 24% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
University of Notre Dame graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 93%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Barnard College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.5%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Barnard College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 6.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Barnard College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Notre Dame to keep costs and debt down; pick Barnard College if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Barnard College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Business & Marketing, Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Barnard College has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Notre Dame's enrollment of 8,818 far exceeds Barnard College's 3,264.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Barnard holds onto its admits more tightly: 67% of admitted students enroll, versus 64% at Notre Dame — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Barnard offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Notre Dame does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Barnard College
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 9%, Barnard College attracts a driven and academically ambitious group of students. It's a great fit for those who are passionate about the liberal arts and sciences, and you’ll find a vibrant selection of programs here, including Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and the Visual and Performing Arts. The close-knit community in the heart of New York City offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and cultural experiences.
After graduation, Barnard alumni see impressive earnings, with a median income of $80,516 after ten years. This level of financial success is a clear indicator of the value of a Barnard degree in today’s job market. The school’s strong graduation rate of 93% speaks volumes about student support and engagement, making it likely that graduates will find their footing in a competitive landscape.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid stands at $28,800, which is manageable given the potential earning power of graduates. With a median debt of $18,000, students tend to graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive here are often those who are not only academically inclined but also eager to engage with the diverse opportunities the city has to offer, making Barnard a launching pad for future success.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit
The University of Notre Dame has an impressive graduation rate of 96%. This means that the vast majority of students who start their studies here complete their degrees on time. Such a high rate indicates strong student support and academic rigor.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility outcomes for Notre Dame students are not available. However, the strong graduation rate and high earnings after ten years suggest that graduates from this institution tend to secure stable, well-paying jobs. The average earnings for alumni reach $99,980, reflecting the quality of education and career preparation they receive.
Prospective students should consider the financial aspects as well. The net price for attending Notre Dame is $26,780, with a median debt of $19,000 after graduation. While the Pell Grant rate is 14%, students who thrive here often pursue majors in Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science, aligning their education with strong job markets.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Barnard's top program is Sociology (29% of enrollment), while Notre Dame leads with Business Administration (27%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Barnard) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Barnard College is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Psychology, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Business & Marketing, Engineering. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Barnard College or University of Notre Dame?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $28,800 at Barnard College.
Do Barnard College or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Barnard College vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Barnard College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.5% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Barnard College or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Notre Dame if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Barnard College if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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