Notre Dame vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Princeton admits 4.4% of applicants, while Notre Dame admits 11.3%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Princeton: 13.1% of students against 7.5% (Notre Dame).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Notre Dame awards $62,803.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $87,295 and ends at $16,304 against $19,440 (Notre Dame).
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 11.3% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $100K). Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $68,454 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: lower tuition.
Choose Princeton 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
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 11.3% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1510).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $100K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 95%).
Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $67,855).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 42,303 |
| International students | 7.5% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 99% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Notre Dame or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $100K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or Princeton?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $79,320 at Princeton.
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