Notre Dame vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Brown based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 11,956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Brown University 6:1.

Notre Dame vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Brown? 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 Brown University than Notre Dame ($26,256 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 2.5% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($17,444 vs. $17,900).
• Brown University is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $6,387 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at Brown than at University of Notre Dame (about $6,387 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Brown University (61% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 13.7% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($61,392 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame or Brown? 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 Brown and Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 40 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Brown - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Notre Dame vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Brown? 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 Brown University's (95%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Brown graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $87,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brown students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.