Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Notre Dame vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Notre Dame Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 13
- Wisconsin-Madison Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to University of Wisconsin-Madison's $17,354 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Wisconsin-Madison benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $73,792 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 35% more than University of Wisconsin-Madison
- 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
Wisconsin-Madison
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,354, roughly $9,426 a year less
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #27
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Notre Dame graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Wisconsin-Madison in Business & Marketing (16%). 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 University of Wisconsin-Madison. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $73,792.
Pick University of Wisconsin-Madison over University of Notre Dame. Net price $17,354 vs $26,780.
Pick University of Wisconsin-Madison over University of Notre Dame. THE World Rank #27 vs #63.
Pick University of Notre Dame over University of Wisconsin-Madison. 96% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Notre Dame and University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 University of Wisconsin-Madison takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,427.
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 Wisconsin-Madison comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,354, about $9,426 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 $20,484.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,704 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. That is a 35% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 35% 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 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, University of Wisconsin-Madison sits higher, at #27 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 Wisconsin-Madison 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. University of Wisconsin-Madison saves about $9,426 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $26,188 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 Wisconsin-Madison ranks higher globally (#27 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. University of Notre Dame concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while University of Wisconsin-Madison leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $26,780 runs well above University of Wisconsin-Madison's $17,354.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Wisconsin-Madison's enrollment of 36,902 far exceeds University of Notre Dame's 8,818.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Wisconsin-Madison 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.
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 Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 37,000 students, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a strong choice for those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. If you’re interested in fields like Business, Biology, or Computer Science, this school has solid programs that cater to your academic interests. The acceptance rate of 45% suggests a competitive atmosphere, but it’s also a place where students can find community and support among their peers.
Looking at outcomes, graduates from Wisconsin-Madison earn an average of $73,792 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential points to a positive return on investment for students. With a graduation rate of 89%, most students are not just moving through their programs but are also finding pathways to success after college. The affordability is another key factor, with a net price of $17,354, making it accessible for many families.
When it comes to finances, students graduate with a median debt of $20,484, which is manageable for the earnings they can expect. This balance between cost and potential earnings makes it a pragmatic choice for many. Students who tend to thrive here are those who take advantage of the resources available, engage in their studies, and connect with the vibrant campus life in Madison.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 27% of Notre Dame's student body and 16% of Wisconsin-Madison's.
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 Wisconsin-Madison).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Notre Dame is strongest in Engineering, while University of Wisconsin-Madison concentrates in 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 Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 45% at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Which is more affordable, University of Notre Dame or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,354 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do University of Notre Dame or University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Notre Dame or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 89%.
Should you choose University of Notre Dame or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Wisconsin-Madison 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Notre Dame and Wisconsin-Madison 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.
