Notre Dame vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Northeastern: 5.2% against 11.3% (Notre Dame).
The more international environment is at Northeastern (13.1% international students) than Notre Dame (7.5%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Notre Dame awards international students $62,803 on average, Northeastern awards $24,539.
These admissions operate at different scales: Northeastern reads 98,425 applications a year, its rival 29,942.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 11.3% acceptance). Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #201-300). Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $93K). Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $69,289 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 graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Northeastern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 11.3% acceptance); Notre Dame has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1490).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $93K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 90.5%).
Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $69,289); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 98,425 |
| International students | 7.5% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 100% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Notre Dame or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Notre Dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $93K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or Northeastern?
Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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