Notre Dame vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
West Virginia accepts most of the applications it receives (89%), while Notre Dame turns away the overwhelming majority (11.3%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Notre Dame: 7.5% of students against 1.7% (West Virginia).
Average aid for an international student is $62,803 (Notre Dame) and $21,636 (West Virginia).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Notre Dame lists $87,295 against $47,480 (West Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $19,440 against $30,750.
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
Notre Dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 89% acceptance). Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #501-600). Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $67,607 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: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose West Virginia for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Notre Dame is more selective (11.3% vs 89% acceptance); Notre Dame has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1110).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $56K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $67,607); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 20,150 |
| International students | 7.5% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 100% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $85 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Notre Dame. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Notre Dame or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Notre Dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or West Virginia?
Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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