Head-to-Head Comparison
Tufts University vs University of Notre Dame
- Tufts Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 10
- Notre Dame Wins
- 25
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $26,780 vs Tufts University's $39,998, 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.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Tufts
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #53
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 20% more than Tufts University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $13,218 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Tufts graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (20% 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 Tufts University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $83,214.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Tufts University. Net price $26,780 vs $39,998.
Pick Tufts University over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #53 vs #63.
Pick Tufts University over University of Notre Dame. 2.1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Tufts 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 Tufts University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 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 $13,218 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $52,872 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 $83,214 at Tufts University. That is a 20% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% 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
Tufts University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.1%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Tufts University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Tufts 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, Tufts University sits higher, at #53 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 Tufts 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
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, with a 11% admit rate, but Tufts University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Tufts University ranks higher globally (#53 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. Tufts University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, 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
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,998 runs well above University of Notre Dame's $26,780.
- Business and consulting-track students: Tufts University has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,000, against $16,250 at Tufts University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Tufts 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) 2 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
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Tufts University attracts students who are ready to engage in a vibrant academic community. This school is ideal for those passionate about social sciences, engineering, biology and biomedical fields, computer science and IT, or the visual and performing arts. What stands out is the commitment to a well-rounded education that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary study, making it a great fit for curious minds eager to make an impact.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a 10-year median salary of $83,214. This figure highlights the strong return on investment for graduates. With a graduation rate of 93%, it's clear that students not only thrive academically but also transition successfully into their careers. While the Pell Grant rate is at 12%, indicating that a smaller percentage of students come from low-income backgrounds, those who do tend to find pathways to upward mobility in their professional lives.
Looking at the practical side, the net price of attending Tufts is around $39,998 after aid, which is significant but manageable for many. Graduates carry a median debt of $16,250, a figure that suggests a thoughtful balance between investment in education and financial responsibility. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are driven, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and beyond.
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
University of Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Tufts's top program is Sociology (20% 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 Tufts) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. Tufts University is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Tufts University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 11% at Tufts University.
Which is more affordable, Tufts University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Tufts 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 $83,214 at Tufts University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Tufts University or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Tufts University vs University of Notre Dame: which is better for social mobility?
Tufts University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Tufts 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 Tufts 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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