University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Notre Dame at a Glance
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. The university was founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Catholic religious order of priests and brothers. Its main campus covers 1,261 acres in a suburban setting and has landmarks such as the Golden Dome main building, Sacred Heart Basilica, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Word of Life mosaic mural, and Notre Dame Stadium.
1842
184 years old
$20.1B
$20.09 billion ( FY 2025)
13,016
8,854 undergrad · 4,162 grad
1,526
1,261 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Notre Dame
Official admissions pageJanuary 1
November 1 (Restrictive Early Action)
$75
Fee waiver available
1 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is University of Notre Dame Worth It?
University of Notre Dame is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $26,780/year net price and $99,980 median earnings, graduates earn 3.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 96% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 11% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $19,000 is manageable at just 19% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: University of Notre Dame delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Notre Dame compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #12 of 21 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #2 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #4 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #5 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| #6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #12 | University of Notre Dame | 90 | $26,780 | $99,980 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Notre Dame's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Notre Dame
The highest-earning program at University of Notre Dame is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $80,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from University of Notre Dame earns $80,000, while a Anthropology graduate earns $21,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $18,500 in median debt vs. $19,000 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,780/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $80,000 | $80,000 | $18,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $77,100 | $77,100 | $19,000 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | $75,500 | $75,500 | $18,600 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $73,000 | $73,000 | $19,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $72,200 | $72,200 | $19,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $71,000 | $71,000 | $16,815 |
| Civil Engineering | $69,200 | $69,200 | $17,199 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $68,100 | $68,100 | $19,000 |
| Economics | $64,300 | $64,300 | $19,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,300 | $64,300 | $19,000 |
| Architecture | $55,200 | $55,200 | $24,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $55,200 | $55,200 | $19,000 |
| Marketing | $52,400 | $52,400 | $21,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $50,100 | $50,100 | $19,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $47,000 | $47,000 | $19,000 |
| History | $39,000 | $39,000 | $19,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,200 | $38,200 | $19,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $38,200 | $38,200 | $19,500 |
| Sociology | $36,500 | $36,500 | $21,750 |
| Psychology, General | $35,100 | $35,100 | $19,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,200 | $33,200 | $19,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $30,800 | $30,800 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $19,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $27,900 | $27,900 | $19,000 |
| Anthropology | $21,800 | $21,800 | $19,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Notre Dame, IN
- Student Body
- 8,818 students
- Admission Rate
- 11%
- Graduation Rate
- 96%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,780
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $99,980
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000