Notre Dame vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Notre Dame vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Notre Dame ($15,313 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 11.6% lower than at Princeton University ($17,900 vs. $20,250).
• University of Notre Dame is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $2,337 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Notre Dame than at Princeton University (about $2,337 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Notre Dame (67% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 27.3% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($68,727 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton 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 Princeton (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Notre Dame vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Princeton? 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).

• The graduation rate at Notre Dame is the same as at Princeton University (96% vs. 96%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $24,100 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton 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 Princeton students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.