Head-to-Head Comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs University of Notre Dame
- Carnegie Mellon Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 13
- Notre Dame Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Carnegie Mellon University's $31,944, 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Carnegie Mellon
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than University of Notre Dame
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #20
Notre Dame
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $5,164 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Carnegie Mellon graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% 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 Carnegie Mellon University over University of Notre Dame. Median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment vs $99,980.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Carnegie Mellon University. Net price $26,780 vs $31,944.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #20 vs #63.
Pick Carnegie Mellon University over University of Notre Dame. 2.2% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Carnegie Mellon University and University of Notre Dame are close on paper, but University of Notre Dame 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
University of Notre Dame is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Carnegie Mellon University takes 12%. 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, 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 $5,164 a year below Carnegie Mellon University's $31,944. Graduates of University of Notre Dame also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $21,750.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $20,656 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, Carnegie Mellon University graduates report median earnings of $114,862, compared with $99,980 at University of Notre Dame. That is a 15% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% 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
Carnegie Mellon University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Carnegie Mellon University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Carnegie Mellon 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, Carnegie Mellon University sits higher, at #20 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 University of Notre Dame to keep costs and debt down; pick Carnegie Mellon University 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. University of Notre Dame saves about $5,164 a year, yet Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn $14,882 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, with a 11% admit rate, but Carnegie Mellon University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Carnegie Mellon University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $31,944 runs well above University of Notre Dame's $26,780.
- Business and consulting-track students: Carnegie Mellon University has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Notre Dame's enrollment, and Carnegie Mellon 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 47% at Carnegie Mellon — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Carnegie Mellon 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) 4 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
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Carnegie Mellon University is a great fit for students who are ready to dive into rigorous academic programs. This school attracts those passionate about fields like Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. The blend of technical and creative disciplines, including Visual and Performing Arts, creates a unique environment where students can thrive while exploring their varied interests.
Life after graduation at Carnegie Mellon looks promising. Graduates can expect to earn an impressive average of $114,862 within ten years of completing their degrees. This strong earning potential is crucial for students weighing their options, as it reflects the value of the education they receive here. With a graduation rate of 93%, it’s clear that students are not only getting in but are also navigating their studies successfully.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid is around $31,944, which can feel daunting but is manageable compared to potential earnings. The median debt for graduates stands at $21,750, suggesting that many students are able to graduate with a reasonable level of debt. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are dedicated, ambitious, and ready to engage deeply with their chosen fields.
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
Carnegie Mellon University and University of Notre Dame appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual, Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 — Carnegie Mellon University outranks University of Notre Dame by 5 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Carnegie Mellon's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% 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 Carnegie Mellon) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Carnegie Mellon University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. 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 Carnegie Mellon University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 12% at Carnegie Mellon University.
Which is more affordable, Carnegie Mellon University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn more: median earnings of $114,862 ten years after enrollment, versus $99,980 at University of Notre Dame.
Which has a better graduation rate, Carnegie Mellon University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Carnegie Mellon University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Carnegie Mellon University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon University 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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