Notre Dame vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (45,026 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); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Notre Dame vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than Notre Dame ($24,696 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 24.2% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($13,564 vs. $17,900).
• University of Notre Dame is 365.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $51,049 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.9% higher at Notre Dame than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $35,715 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at University of Notre Dame (73% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 558.5% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($53,971 vs. $8,196).

Notre Dame vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 240 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 22.5% at UC.

Notre Dame vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $44,200 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 57%)

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.