Iowa state vs Notre dame — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Notre dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 88.7% acceptance). Notre dame ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $63K). Iowa state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $65,025 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Iowa state for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Notre dame for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Notre dame is more selective (11.3% vs 88.7% acceptance); Notre dame has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1204).
Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $63K); Notre dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 75.3%).
Iowa state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $65,025); Notre dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa state | Notre dame |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 88.7% | 11.3% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 61.7% |
| Median SAT | 1204 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | — |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 29,942 |
| International students | 8% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $100K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $98K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 95% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 99% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $65,025 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $67,855 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $30,400 |
| Application fee | $40 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 13,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa state or Notre dame?
It's harder to get into Notre dame. Iowa state accepts 88.7% of applicants, while Notre dame accepts 11.3%.
Do Iowa state or Notre dame graduates earn more?
Notre dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa state vs Notre dame?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa state and $65,025 per year at Notre dame.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa state or Notre dame?
The median admitted SAT score is 1204 at Iowa state and 1520 at Notre dame; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Iowa state or Notre dame?
Notre dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa state vs #301-400 for Notre dame.
Which university offers more financial aid — Iowa state or Notre dame?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa state and $67,855 at Notre dame.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern