Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Notre Dame vs Wellesley College
- Notre Dame Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 15
- Wellesley Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Wellesley College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 91%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 compared to Wellesley College's $25,496 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Wellesley College'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
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 18% more than Wellesley College
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Wellesley
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,496, roughly $1,284 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Notre Dame graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Wellesley in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Wellesley College. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Wellesley College over University of Notre Dame. Net price $25,496 vs $26,780.
Pick Wellesley College over University of Notre Dame. 2.4% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick University of Notre Dame over Wellesley College. 96% completion rate vs 91%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Notre Dame and Wellesley College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
University of Notre Dame is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Wellesley College takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 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, Wellesley College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,496, about $1,284 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $5,136 before any change in aid. Choosing Wellesley College 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 $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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 91%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at University of Notre Dame, it is 0.9%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wellesley College 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 Wellesley College 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. Wellesley College saves about $1,284 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $15,177 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 Wellesley College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.4%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Notre Dame concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Engineering, while Wellesley College leans toward Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. 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 $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Notre Dame's enrollment, and Wellesley College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Notre Dame's enrollment of 8,818 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Engineering-focused students: University of Notre Dame has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Wellesley College has less business program depth, and University of Notre Dame offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Wellesley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Wellesley 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.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
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 Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
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 Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Notre Dame is strongest in Business & Marketing, Engineering, while Wellesley College concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Physical Sciences. 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 Wellesley College?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 14% at Wellesley College.
Which is more affordable, University of Notre Dame or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,496 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do University of Notre Dame or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Notre Dame or Wellesley College?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 91%.
University of Notre Dame vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Wellesley College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.4% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose University of Notre Dame or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Wellesley College 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 Wellesley 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.
