Rhode Island vs Notre Dame - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Notre Dame admits 11.3% of applications, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Notre Dame (7.5% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Notre Dame awards international students $62,803 on average, Rhode Island awards $26,565.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Notre Dame starts at $87,295 against $54,758 and ends at $19,440 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 72.2% acceptance). Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 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 Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
Choose Notre Dame 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
Notre Dame is more selective (11.3% vs 72.2% acceptance); Notre Dame has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1160).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $70K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $67,607); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 11.3% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 61.7% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | - |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 29,942 |
| International students | 1.2% | 7.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $100K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 95% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 99% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $67,607 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $67,855 |
| % of need met | 57% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $30,400 |
| Application fee | $65 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 13,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Notre Dame?
It's harder to get into Notre Dame. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Notre Dame accepts 11.3%.
Do Rhode Island or Notre Dame graduates earn more?
Notre Dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Notre Dame?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $67,607 per year at Notre Dame.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Notre Dame?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1510 at Notre Dame; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Notre Dame?
Notre Dame ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #301-400 for Notre Dame.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Notre Dame?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $67,855 at Notre Dame.
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