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Northwestern University vs University of Notre Dame

46 data points compared. Stronger value in each row highlighted. Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS.

26
Northwestern Wins
7
Tied / N/A
13
University Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Private nonprofit
Urban
Setting
Suburban
Great Lakes
Region
Great Lakes
9,201
Enrollment
8,818
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

8%
Acceptance Rate
11%
1533
SAT Average
1520
35
ACT Midpoint
34
1510-1570
SAT Range
1455-1560

Cost & Financial Aid

$68,322
In-State Tuition
$65,025
$68,322
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,025
$29,167
Average Net Price
$26,780
$1,764
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$7,244
$6,099
Net Price ($30-48K)
$7,254
$7,898
Net Price ($48-75K)
$11,432
$48,777
Net Price ($110K+)
$45,321
19%
Pell Grant Rate
14%
17%
Federal Loan Rate
25%

Academics

96%
Graduation Rate
96%
98%
Retention Rate
99%
83%
Full-Time Faculty
88%
$20,322
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$16,830
15%
First-Gen Students
10%

Student Body

52%
Female
46%
31%
White
59%
16%
Hispanic
15%
8%
Black
5%
21%
Asian
6%
0.81
Diversity Index
0.61

Outcomes

$76,844
Earnings (6yr)
$86,210
$83,487
Earnings (8yr)
$94,844
$89,363
Earnings (10yr)
$99,980
$15,000
Median Debt
$19,000
0.17x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.19x
85%
Earning Above HS
85%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

169.42%
Mobility Rate
89.73%
5518.6%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
6239.9%
307.0%
From Bottom 20%
143.8%
$168,500
Parent Median Income
$165,400

Social Capital

1.83
Economic Connectedness
1.46
0.01
Friending Bias
-0.01
11.3%
Volunteering Rate
4.3%

Research (Times HE)

#25
World Rank
#63
64.5
Teaching Score
56.4
68.8
Research Score
45.1
95.3
Citations Score
89.1

The Overviews

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit

8% accept 96% grad $89,363 earnings $29,167 net

Northwestern University has an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating strong student support and academic success. This high rate reflects the university’s commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time. With an acceptance rate of just 8%, gaining admission is highly competitive, attracting top talent from across the country.

The earnings potential for graduates is significant, with a 10-year median income of $89,363. This figure suggests that students who attend Northwestern can expect a strong return on their investment. However, 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which highlights that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, yet still have the opportunity to thrive here.

The net price for attending Northwestern is $29,167, and the median debt is relatively low at $15,000, making it more manageable for graduates. Students who excel here often pursue majors in engineering, social sciences, and communications. Those who thrive at Northwestern are typically motivated and high-achieving individuals, ready to engage in a challenging academic environment.

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit

11% accept 96% grad $99,980 earnings $26,780 net

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.

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