Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs University of Notre Dame
- Brown Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 14
- Notre Dame Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 96%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to Brown University's $25,184. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brown University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,184, roughly $1,596 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #55
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Brown University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% 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 Brown University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $93,487.
Pick Brown University over University of Notre Dame. Net price $25,184 vs $26,780.
Pick Brown University over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #55 vs #63.
Pick Brown University over University of Notre Dame. 1.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and University of Notre Dame are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while University of Notre Dame takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University 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, Brown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,184, about $1,596 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,384 before any change in aid. Choosing Brown University 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 $93,487 at Brown University. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% 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.
Moving people up
Brown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.4%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Brown University 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Brown University sits higher, at #55 versus #63.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Brown University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Notre Dame for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Brown University saves about $1,596 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $6,493 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Brown University ranks higher globally (#55 vs #63), but University of Notre Dame alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, 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: Brown University has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,000, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Notre Dame's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 63% at Brown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Brown 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
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
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
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% 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 Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, 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 Brown University or University of Notre Dame?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or University of Notre Dame?
Brown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,184 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do Brown University 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 $93,487 at Brown University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 96%.
Brown University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Brown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Brown University or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Notre Dame if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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