USC vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

USC vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame than USC ($29,300 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 10.2% lower than at University of Southern California ($17,900 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $7,072 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at USC than at University of Notre Dame (about $7,072 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of Notre Dame (70% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 15.1% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($53,971 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 10 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at USC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; University of Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at USC (3.83).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

USC vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Notre Dame ? 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 Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($222 vs. $231).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 81%)

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.