Head-to-Head Comparison
Santa Clara University vs University of Notre Dame
- Santa Clara Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 13
- Notre Dame Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Santa Clara University's $50,062, 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than University of Notre Dame
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Notre Dame
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $23,282 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Santa Clara graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% 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 Santa Clara University over University of Notre Dame. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $99,980.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Santa Clara University. Net price $26,780 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over University of Notre Dame. 2.2% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Santa Clara University. 96% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University takes 48%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,426 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 $23,282 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of University of Notre Dame also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $19,162.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $93,128 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, Santa Clara University graduates report median earnings of $109,183, compared with $99,980 at University of Notre Dame. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% 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 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% 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
Santa Clara University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Santa Clara 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, Santa Clara 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Notre Dame to keep costs and debt down; pick Santa Clara University 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. University of Notre Dame saves about $23,282 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $9,203 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, with a 11% admit rate, but Santa Clara University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $50,062 runs well above University of Notre Dame's $26,780.
No strong negative signals — Notre Dame competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 18% at Santa Clara — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Santa Clara 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
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, indicating strong student success and support. This high rate suggests that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees in a timely manner, which is crucial for their future careers.
The earnings data for graduates is impressive. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $109,183. This figure highlights the potential return on investment for students considering their financial futures. However, with a net price of $50,062 and median debt at $19,162, students should weigh the cost of attendance against their anticipated earnings.
Students who thrive at Santa Clara typically pursue majors in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, or Psychology. The campus environment supports those who are motivated and engaged in their studies. With a moderate acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse group of students ready to take advantage of the academic opportunities available.
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
Santa Clara University is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 27% of Santa Clara's student body and 27% of Notre Dame's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Santa Clara University is strongest in Communications, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in 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 Santa Clara University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 48% at Santa Clara University.
Which is more affordable, Santa Clara University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Santa Clara University or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $99,980 at University of Notre Dame.
Which has a better graduation rate, Santa Clara University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 88%.
Santa Clara University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Santa Clara University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Santa Clara and Notre Dame stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
