Notre Dame vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (18,625 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); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Notre Dame vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Notre Dame ($25,078 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 16% lower than at Stanford University ($17,900 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $885 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Stanford than at University of Notre Dame (about $885 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame as at Stanford University (61% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 16.3% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($62,755 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford 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 Stanford (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford 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 Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Notre Dame vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Stanford? 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 Stanford University (96% vs. 96%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $33,100 more per year than Notre Dame graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $9,025 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($12,475 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($128 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 88%)

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.