Head-to-Head Comparison
Purdue University-Main Campus vs University of Notre Dame
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 15
- Notre Dame Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to Purdue University-Main Campus's $14,600. Students who choose Purdue University-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,424 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $12,180 a year less
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 38% more than Purdue University
- 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Purdue University-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (25% 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 Purdue University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over University of Notre Dame. Net price $14,600 vs $26,780.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Purdue University. 96% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Purdue 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 Purdue University takes 50%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,364 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, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $12,180 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of University of Notre Dame also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,720 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue 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 $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 38% 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 38% 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 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 13% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Notre Dame for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $12,180 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $27,556 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Purdue University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds University of Notre Dame's 8,818.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $26,780 runs well above Purdue University's $14,600.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 49% at Purdue University-Main — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
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
Purdue University-Main Campus and University of Notre Dame appear together in 5 rankings. On the Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana, University of Notre Dame ranks #1 — University of Notre Dame outranks Purdue University-Main Campus by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Purdue University-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (25% 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 Purdue University-Main) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Purdue University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Social Sciences. 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 Purdue University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 50% at Purdue University.
Which is more affordable, Purdue University or University of Notre Dame?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do Purdue 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 $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Purdue University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 83%.
Should you choose Purdue University or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue 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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