Head-to-Head Comparison
Northwestern University vs University of Notre Dame
- Northwestern Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 12
- Notre Dame Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Northwestern University's $29,167, University of Notre Dame delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose University of Notre Dame benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $99,980 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Northwestern
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 8% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #25
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 12% more than Northwestern University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $2,387 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Northwestern graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (16% 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 Northwestern University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $89,363.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Northwestern University. Net price $26,780 vs $29,167.
Pick Northwestern University over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #25 vs #63.
Pick Northwestern University over University of Notre Dame. 1.7% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Northwestern University and University of Notre Dame split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Northwestern University is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while University of Notre Dame takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,533 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Northwestern 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, University of Notre Dame comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $26,780, about $2,387 a year below Northwestern University's $29,167. Graduates of Northwestern University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $9,548 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 $89,363 at Northwestern University. That is a 12% advantage. Set against borrowing, Northwestern University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 12% 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
Northwestern University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Northwestern University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Northwestern 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, Northwestern University sits higher, at #25 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 Northwestern 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
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Northwestern University ranks higher globally (#25 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. Northwestern University concentrates enrollment in Communications, 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
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Northwestern University has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,000, against $15,000 at Northwestern University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 55% at Northwestern — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Northwestern 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
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit
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
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
Northwestern University is featured on the Best Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Northwestern's top program is Sociology (16% 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 Northwestern) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Northwestern University is strongest in Communications, Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Business & Marketing, 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 Northwestern University or University of Notre Dame?
Northwestern University is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, Northwestern University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $29,167 at Northwestern University.
Do Northwestern 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 $89,363 at Northwestern University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Northwestern University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 96%.
Northwestern University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Northwestern University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Northwestern 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 Northwestern 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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