Princeton vs Notre Dame - 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 (#7 vs #301-400). 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Notre Dame for: lower tuition.
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 | Princeton | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 11.3% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 61.7% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 29,942 |
| International students | 13.1% | 7.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $100K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 95% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 99% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $67,607 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $67,855 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $30,400 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 13,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Notre Dame?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Notre Dame accepts 11.3%.
Do Princeton or Notre Dame graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $100K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Notre Dame?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $67,607 per year at Notre Dame.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Notre Dame?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1510 at Notre Dame; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Notre Dame?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #301-400 for Notre Dame.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Notre Dame?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $67,855 at Notre Dame.
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