Head-to-Head Comparison
Emory University vs University of Notre Dame
- Emory Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 12
- Notre Dame Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Emory University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to Emory University's $22,585. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Emory 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
Emory
- Lower cost: Average net price of $22,585, roughly $4,195 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #61
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 25% more than Emory University
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Emory graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (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 University of Notre Dame over Emory University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $80,137.
Pick Emory University over University of Notre Dame. Net price $22,585 vs $26,780.
Pick Emory University over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #61 vs #63.
Pick Emory University over University of Notre Dame. 1.8% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Emory University. 96% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Emory University and University of Notre Dame are close on paper, but Emory 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
Emory University is the harder admit. It takes 11% 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, Emory 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, Emory University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $22,585, about $4,195 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of Emory University also borrow less: median debt of $18,250, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $16,780 before any change in aid. Choosing Emory 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 $80,137 at Emory University. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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 91%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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
Emory 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%. Emory University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Emory 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, Emory University sits higher, at #61 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 Emory 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. Emory University saves about $4,195 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $19,843 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. Emory University ranks higher globally (#61 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. Emory University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while University of Notre Dame leans toward 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.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $26,780 runs well above Emory University's $22,585.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 40% at Emory — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Emory 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
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit
Emory University has an impressive graduation rate of 91%. This high percentage reflects the strong support systems in place for students and their ability to successfully navigate their academic journeys. With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Emory attracts a competitive pool of applicants, ensuring a diverse and engaged student body.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Emory's graduates earn a median salary of $80,137 ten years after enrollment. This earning potential suggests that students are well-prepared for the job market, particularly in fields like business, health professions, and social sciences. While detailed mobility rates are not available, the strong outcomes indicate that students from various socioeconomic backgrounds can succeed here.
The net price for attending Emory is $22,585, with a median debt of $18,250. This financial framework allows many students to graduate with manageable debt levels. Emory is ideal for motivated students who thrive in an academically rigorous environment and seek strong career outcomes post-graduation.
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
Emory University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Emory's student body and 27% of Notre Dame's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Emory) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Emory University is strongest in Health Professions, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in 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 Emory University or University of Notre Dame?
Emory University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, Emory University or University of Notre Dame?
Emory University is more affordable, with an average net price of $22,585 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do Emory 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 $80,137 at Emory University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Emory University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 91%.
Emory University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Emory University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Emory University or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Emory 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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