UChicago vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Chicago is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

UChicago vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Notre Dame ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Chicago than Notre Dame ($28,060 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 11% lower than at University of Chicago ($17,900 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $5,637 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at UChicago than at University of Notre Dame (about $5,637 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at University of Chicago (61% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 15.4% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($62,300 vs. $53,971).

UChicago vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago or Notre Dame ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Notre Dame and UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 40 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Notre Dame (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; University of Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

UChicago vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Notre Dame ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($14,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($149 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 86%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.