Notre Dame vs. MIT

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than MIT based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1.

Notre Dame vs. MIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or MIT? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Notre Dame ($20,996 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 11.7% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($17,900 vs. $20,280).
• University of Notre Dame is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $2,629 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Notre Dame than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $2,629 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 14.4% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($61,734 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. MIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 40 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Notre Dame ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); MIT - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; MIT Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 85.8% at MIT.

Notre Dame vs. MIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and MIT? 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (93%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $52,300 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,184 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($17,316 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($179 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIT students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 92%)

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.