Notre dame vs Brandeis — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Notre dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 40.5% acceptance). Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $77K). Notre dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,025 vs $68,080 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 Notre dame for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Brandeis for: lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Notre dame is more selective (11.3% vs 40.5% acceptance); Notre dame has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1462).
Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $77K); Notre dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 86%).
Notre dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,025 vs $68,080); Notre dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre dame | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 40.5% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1462 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 10,462 |
| International students | 13% | 34% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $77K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $69K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 87% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $65,025 | $68,080 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 100% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $85 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre dame or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Notre dame. Notre dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.5%.
Do Notre dame or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Notre dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Notre dame vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $65,025 per year at Notre dame and $68,080 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Notre dame or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Notre dame and 1462 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid — Notre dame or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre dame and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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