Notre Dame vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Notre Dame vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Duke? 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 Duke University than Notre Dame ($21,981 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 1.3% lower than at Duke University ($17,900 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $3,733 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Duke than at University of Notre Dame (about $3,733 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Duke University (61% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($65,522 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Duke Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Duke (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke 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 Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Notre Dame vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Duke? 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 Duke University's (94%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($77 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duke 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.