Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs University of Notre Dame
- Case Western Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 6
- Notre Dame Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Case Western Reserve University's $41,190, 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.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Case Western
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than Case Western Reserve University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $14,410 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
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #63
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (25% of degrees); Notre Dame in Business & Marketing (25%). 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 Case Western Reserve University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $87,989.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Case Western Reserve University. Net price $26,780 vs $41,190.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Case Western Reserve University. THE World Rank #63 vs #65.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of Notre Dame. 1.8% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Case Western Reserve University. 96% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve 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 Case Western Reserve University takes 37%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 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 $14,410 a year below Case Western Reserve University's $41,190. Graduates of University of Notre Dame also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $24,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $57,640 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 $87,989 at Case Western Reserve University. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% 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
Case Western Reserve University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Case Western Reserve University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Case Western Reserve 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, University of Notre Dame sits higher, at #63 versus #65.
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 Case Western Reserve 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 Case Western Reserve University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, 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 $41,190 runs well above University of Notre Dame's $26,780.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $24,000, against $19,000 at University of Notre Dame.
- Business and consulting-track students: Case Western Reserve University has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
No strong negative signals — Notre Dame competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 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
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
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
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Case Western's top program is Mechanical Engineering (25% of enrollment), while Notre Dame leads with Business Administration (25%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Case Western Reserve University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 37% at Case Western Reserve University.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $41,190 at Case Western Reserve University.
Do Case Western Reserve 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 $87,989 at Case Western Reserve University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 87%.
Case Western Reserve University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Case Western Reserve University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve 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 Case Western Reserve 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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