Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Notre Dame vs University of Pennsylvania
- Notre Dame Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 10
- Pennsylvania Wins
- 31
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Notre Dame offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Pennsylvania achieves a higher graduation rate (97% vs 96%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $28,699 compared to University of Notre Dame's $26,780. 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Notre Dame
- Lower cost: Average net price of $26,780, roughly $1,919 a year less
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #63
Pennsylvania
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment, 11% more than University of Notre Dame
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,715, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Notre Dame graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Pennsylvania in Social Sciences (11%). 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 Pennsylvania over University of Notre Dame. Median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment vs $99,980.
Pick University of Notre Dame over University of Pennsylvania. Net price $26,780 vs $28,699.
Pick University of Notre Dame over University of Pennsylvania. THE World Rank #63 vs #109.
Pick University of Pennsylvania over University of Notre Dame. 1.8% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Notre Dame and University of Pennsylvania are close on paper, but University of Pennsylvania wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 Pennsylvania is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while University of Notre Dame takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Pennsylvania 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 $1,919 a year below University of Pennsylvania's $28,699. Graduates of University of Pennsylvania also borrow less: median debt of $15,715, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $7,676 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 Pennsylvania graduates report median earnings of $111,371, compared with $99,980 at University of Notre Dame. That is a 11% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Pennsylvania has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 11% 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
University of Pennsylvania does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. University of Pennsylvania also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Pennsylvania 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, University of Notre Dame sits higher, at #63 versus #109.
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 University of Pennsylvania 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 $1,919 a year, yet University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $11,391 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. University of Notre Dame ranks higher globally (#63 vs #109), but University of Pennsylvania alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Notre Dame concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Engineering, while University of Pennsylvania leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,000, against $15,715 at University of Pennsylvania.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Pennsylvania has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Pennsylvania holds onto its admits more tightly: 68% of admitted students enroll, versus 64% at Notre Dame — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Pennsylvania 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) 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
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.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the University of Pennsylvania attracts students who are not only academically strong but also deeply passionate about their fields. This school is especially well-suited for those interested in areas like Biology and Biomedical studies, Social Sciences, Health Professions, Computer Science and IT, and Business and Marketing. The vibrant atmosphere of Philadelphia adds an urban edge to the college experience, making it a great fit for students looking to engage in both rigorous academics and lively city life.
Looking at the outcomes, graduates from Penn see significant returns on their investment. With a 10-year earnings average of $111,371, it's clear that a degree from here can open doors to lucrative career paths. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting diverse backgrounds, the high graduation rate of 97% suggests that students who enroll are likely to complete their studies successfully.
Financially, the net price after aid sits at $28,699, which is manageable given the strong earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $15,715, students here can graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive at Penn are often highly motivated, driven, and ready to take advantage of the rich resources and opportunities available within the institution and the surrounding city.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Notre Dame's top program is Business Administration (27% of enrollment), while Pennsylvania leads with Sociology (11%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Pennsylvania).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Notre Dame is strongest in Business & Marketing, Engineering, while University of Pennsylvania concentrates in Health Professions, Computer Science & IT. 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 University of Notre Dame or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 11% at University of Notre Dame.
Which is more affordable, University of Notre Dame or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Notre Dame is more affordable, with an average net price of $26,780 after aid versus $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania.
Do University of Notre Dame or University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more: median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment, versus $99,980 at University of Notre Dame.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Notre Dame or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, 97% versus 96%.
University of Notre Dame vs University of Pennsylvania: which is better for social mobility?
University of Pennsylvania is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose University of Notre Dame or University of Pennsylvania?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Notre Dame if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Pennsylvania 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 Notre Dame and Pennsylvania 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.
