University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 11.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 97/100 · Exceptional Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Notre Dame scores 97 (Exceptional Value), the top tier under our methodology, built on a 3.8-year payback period, $69,700 average 6-year earnings, 95.2% completion rate, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.273. Notre Dame's business school - the Mendoza College of Business - includes Finance, which produces 271 graduates annually at $99,222 median earnings at one year and $160,313 at four years. The school's Catholic identity and tight alumni network operate as a genuine economic asset: the Notre Dame alumni base is dense in finance, law, and industry leadership positions, and that network effect shows up in the earnings data across programs. Completion at 95.2% is near the ceiling for residential universities. The school runs private university pricing ($65,025 tuition) with an average net price of $26,780.
Graduates recoup their total investment in just 3.8 years. The median across the schools we score is about 12 years.
University of Notre Dame
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $65,025/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $65,025/yr |
| Average net price | $26,780/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $107,120 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $99,980 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $69,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 3.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 95.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 8,818 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $65,025/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $26,780/year, or roughly $107,120 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $7,244/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $45,321/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $19,000, which works out to about $201 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($69,700) and comes to 0.27, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,244 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,254 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,432 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,670 |
| $110,001+ | $45,321 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average of $7,244 per year at Notre Dame; those in the $30,001-$48,000 range pay $7,254. Over four years, a family in this range would expect total net costs around $29,000 - a significant number but manageable relative to expected earnings for most programs. Students in this income band should verify their specific package using Notre Dame's net price calculator, as aid structures vary.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Families in the $48,001-$75,000 range pay an average of $11,432 per year; those in the $75,001-$110,000 range pay $18,670. A family at $80,000 annual income can expect a four-year net cost around $74,000 - competitive with out-of-state tuition at flagship public universities in many states. The 3.8-year payback period makes the investment case straightforward for finance, CS, and business tracks. Students in humanities and social sciences face a longer payback horizon that families should model explicitly.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay an average of $45,321 per year - roughly $181,000 over four years. This is a substantial commitment but below the full sticker cost of approximately $260,000 for four years. For high-income families, the investment case depends heavily on major: finance and CS graduates are likely to recoup the cost within 3-4 years of graduation; humanities and social science graduates on a graduate school path will take considerably longer. The 94.5% three-year repayment rate suggests graduates are overwhelmingly handling debt obligations successfully, which is a meaningful signal for families who are uncertain about the debt-to-earnings equation.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Notre Dame with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $160,313 | A |
| Economics | $122,637 | B+ |
| International Relations | $94,297 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $142,970 | A |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $65,458 | D |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | $123,663 | A |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $124,557 | A |
| Psychology | $69,793 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,859 | A |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $58,126 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is Notre Dame's flagship earnings program and the highest-volume program at Notre Dame: 271 graduates per year, $99,222 median earnings at one year, and $160,313 at four years. The one-year figure of $99,222 reflects strong placement into front-office financial services roles. For students who are confident in a finance career, the Notre Dame brand carries specific weight with Catholic-affiliated firms and Midwest financial institutions, in addition to the national bulge-bracket firms that recruit broadly from top programs. The four-year trajectory to $160,313 suggests strong advancement for those who stay in financial services.
Computer and Information Sciences
CIS produces 162 graduates per year with $96,517 median earnings at one year and $142,970 at four years. Median debt is $19,000 and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.197 earns an ROI grade of A.
Economics
Economics is the third-largest program by graduates (256) with $76,299 median earnings at one year and $122,637 at four years. Median debt is $19,965 and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.262 earns a B+ grade. The one-year figure reflects competitive placement in consulting, financial analysis, and corporate roles. Economics at Notre Dame has a quantitative core and the Mendoza business adjacency means students can layer in applied finance and business coursework.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Management Sciences produces 115 graduates per year with $83,810 median earnings at one year and $124,557 at four years. Median debt is $19,000 and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.227 earns an ROI grade of A. This program - housed in Mendoza - attracts students interested in the analytical and operations side of business rather than pure finance. The one-year earnings reflect strong placement in management consulting and operations-focused corporate roles. The Mendoza MBA pipeline and alumni network in operations management and supply chain make this a competitive track for students who want business training with quantitative depth. Graduates who move into management consulting see particularly strong trajectory through year four.
International Relations
International Relations graduates 175 students per year with $55,316 median earnings at one year and $94,297 at four years. Median debt is $19,000 and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.343 earns a B+ grade. The one-year figure is lower than business and STEM tracks, but the four-year trajectory to $94,297 reflects strong eventual placement in government, consulting, NGO, and corporate international affairs roles. Notre Dame's Kellogg Institute for International Studies and its Washington D.C. connections provide pipeline access to policy and international development positions. Many IR graduates continue to law school or graduate programs, which depresses the 6-year earnings figure for this cohort. The B+ grade reflects the higher debt-to-earnings ratio relative to finance and engineering programs, not a weak career outcome.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 93.3% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 94.5% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 94.5% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 95.1% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Notre Dame’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 735-790 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 720-770 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 33-35 |
| Enrollment | 8,818 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 13.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $16,830 |
Notre Dame admits 11.27% of applicants. SAT Math 735-790 and Reading 720-770 are the mid-ranges; ACT 33-35 is the realistic floor. Business and engineering are the most competitive tracks. Students with clear professional aspirations and strong extracurricular records in addition to competitive test scores have the strongest profiles.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame (this school) | 97 | $26,780 | $99,980 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 97 | $31,944 | $114,862 |
| Washington University in St Louis | 96 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
| Northwestern University | 94 | $29,167 | $89,363 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
Admitted students cluster in the SAT 735-790 Math and 720-770 Reading range; ACT 33-35 composite. Students who thrive here tend to have a clear interest in Notre Dame's culture and identity - the school's community is cohesive to a degree that makes it a poor fit for students who prefer a more anonymous research university environment. Business, engineering, and pre-law are the strongest placement pipelines.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
If you're asking whether University of Notre Dame is worth it, the short answer is yes - it's one of the strongest money decisions in higher education. Four years here run about $107,120 after aid, and the typical graduate earns $99,980 ten years out. That earnings head start covers the cost in roughly 3.8 years, well ahead of most schools.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 95.2% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
On debt, you can breathe a little easier here. Median debt of $19,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $69,700 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27: well under 1.0, the point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings.
University of Notre Dame: Common Questions
Is University of Notre Dame worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students University of Notre Dame pays off. It scores 97/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $26,780 a year after aid ($107,120 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $99,980 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 3.8 years to earn back.
How much does University of Notre Dame cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $26,780 a year, or roughly $107,120 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of Notre Dame graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $99,980 ten years after enrolling, roughly $58,180 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off University of Notre Dame?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 3.8 years for University of Notre Dame. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Notre Dame graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $19,000, against average earnings of $69,700 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27. In our view that is very manageable: well under 1.0, the point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings.
What is the graduation rate at University of Notre Dame?
The six-year graduation rate is 95.2%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.