Rensselaer polytechnic institute vs Notre dame — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Notre dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 63.5% acceptance). Notre dame ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($102K vs $100K). Rensselaer polytechnic institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,081 vs $65,025 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 Rensselaer polytechnic institute for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
Choose Notre dame for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Notre dame is more selective (11.3% vs 63.5% acceptance); Notre dame has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1456).
Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $100K); Notre dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 83.6%).
Rensselaer polytechnic institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,081 vs $65,025); Rensselaer polytechnic institute offers a larger average aid package ($76,097 vs $67,855).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rensselaer polytechnic institute | Notre dame |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 63.5% | 11.3% |
| Yield rate | 39.7% | 61.7% |
| Median SAT | 1456 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 15,819 | 29,942 |
| International students | 19% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $100K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $98K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 83.6% | 95% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 99% |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,081 | $65,025 |
| Avg. aid package | $76,097 | $67,855 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,149 | $30,400 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 6,761 | 13,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Notre dame?
It's harder to get into Notre dame. Rensselaer polytechnic institute accepts 63.5% of applicants, while Notre dame accepts 11.3%.
Do Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Notre dame graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $102K at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and $100K at Notre dame.
How much is tuition at Rensselaer polytechnic institute vs Notre dame?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,081 per year at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and $65,025 per year at Notre dame.
What SAT score do you need for Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Notre dame?
The median admitted SAT score is 1456 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and 1520 at Notre dame; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Notre dame?
Notre dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Rensselaer polytechnic institute vs #301-400 for Notre dame.
Which university offers more financial aid — Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Notre dame?
The average aid package is $76,097 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and $67,855 at Notre dame.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern