Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Notre Dame vs Washington and Lee University
- Notre Dame Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 19
- Washington Lee Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington and Lee University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 94%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to Washington and Lee University's $23,781 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington and Lee University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $94,810 at ten years.
54 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, 5% more than Washington and Lee University
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 0.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Washington Lee
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,781, roughly $2,999 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Notre Dame graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Washington Lee in Business & Marketing (32%). 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 Washington and Lee University. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $94,810.
Pick Washington and Lee University over University of Notre Dame. Net price $23,781 vs $26,780.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Washington and Lee University. 0.9% mobility rate vs 0.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Notre Dame and Washington and Lee University are close on paper, but University of Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Washington and Lee University takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,498.
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, Washington and Lee University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,781, about $2,999 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 $11,996 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington and Lee 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 $94,810 at Washington and Lee University. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% 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 Notre Dame does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 0.9%; at Washington and Lee University, it is 0.6%. University of Notre Dame also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 1.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Notre Dame 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 Washington and Lee University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Notre Dame 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. Washington and Lee University saves about $2,999 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $5,170 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. University of Notre Dame concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while Washington and Lee University 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 Washington and Lee University's $23,781.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Notre Dame's enrollment of 8,818 far exceeds Washington and Lee University's 1,881.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 41% at Washington Lee — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington Lee 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
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.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Washington and Lee University draws students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This private institution, located in Lexington, Virginia, is known for strong programs in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. If you’re looking for a place that encourages critical thinking and a close-knit community, this might just be the right fit for you.
Graduates from Washington and Lee see impressive earnings, with a median income of $94,810 ten years after graduation. This kind of financial outcome suggests that students who excel here are well-prepared for the job market and often find themselves in higher-paying positions. The strong graduation rate of 94% also points to a supportive environment that helps students succeed academically and transition smoothly into their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Washington and Lee, the net price after aid stands at $23,781, which is relatively manageable given the high earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $19,500, students can graduate with a reasonable amount of loans, especially considering the high salaries many alumni achieve. Those who thrive here are typically driven, engaged, and ready to make the most of their educational experience.
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 32% of Washington Lee's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Notre Dame) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Washington Lee).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Notre Dame is strongest in Engineering, while Washington and Lee University concentrates in Psychology. 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 Washington and Lee University?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 14% at Washington and Lee University.
Which is more affordable, University of Notre Dame or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,781 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do University of Notre Dame or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $94,810 at Washington and Lee University.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Notre Dame or Washington and Lee University?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 94%.
University of Notre Dame vs Washington and Lee University: which is better for social mobility?
University of Notre Dame is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 0.9% versus 0.6%.
Should you choose University of Notre Dame or Washington and Lee University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington and Lee 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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