Head-to-Head Comparison
Bucknell University vs University of Notre Dame
- Bucknell Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 15
- Notre Dame Wins
- 29
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Bucknell University's $40,766, University of Notre Dame delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Notre Dame'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
Bucknell
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Bucknell University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $13,986 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bucknell graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (21% 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 Bucknell University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $93,807.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Bucknell University. Net price $26,780 vs $40,766.
Pick Bucknell University over University of Notre Dame. 1.5% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Bucknell University. 96% completion rate vs 86%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bucknell University and University of Notre Dame are close on paper, but University of Notre Dame wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Notre Dame is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Bucknell University takes 29%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,410 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Notre Dame 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 $13,986 a year below Bucknell University's $40,766. Graduates of University of Notre Dame also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $55,944 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 $93,807 at Bucknell University. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.29x.
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.
Finishing the degree
University of Notre Dame graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% 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
Bucknell University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.5%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Bucknell University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bucknell 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Notre Dame to keep costs and debt down; pick Bucknell University 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
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, with a 11% admit rate, but Bucknell University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Bucknell University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,766 runs well above University of Notre Dame's $26,780.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $19,000 at University of Notre Dame.
- Business and consulting-track students: Bucknell University 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 Bucknell University's 3,876.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 28% at Bucknell — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Bucknell 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
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 3,876 students, Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, is an excellent fit for those seeking a close-knit academic community. The school has a 29% acceptance rate, which reflects a selective approach to admissions, and an impressive graduation rate of 86%. Students here typically dive into programs like Social Sciences, Engineering, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology, gaining both depth and breadth in their fields.
After graduation, Bucknell alumni find themselves in strong positions, with earnings averaging $93,807 a decade after they leave. This figure illustrates a solid return on investment for the education received, helping graduates build successful careers. While the median debt stands at $27,000, the balance seems manageable when considering the financial pathways that open up for graduates.
When we look at the cost of attendance, the net price after aid is about $40,766, which can feel significant but is often offset by the financial advantages graduates experience. Students who thrive here generally come with a sense of ambition and a commitment to making the most of the resources available. Bucknell seems to attract those ready to engage deeply in their studies and leverage their education 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
Bucknell's top program is Sociology (21% of enrollment), while Notre Dame leads with Business Administration (27%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Bucknell) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bucknell University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 29% at Bucknell University.
Which is more affordable, Bucknell University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $40,766 at Bucknell University.
Do Bucknell 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 $93,807 at Bucknell University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bucknell University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 86%.
Bucknell University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Bucknell University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.5% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Bucknell University 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 Bucknell University 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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