When considering higher education, prospective students often find themselves comparing institutions to determine which one best aligns with their academic, financial, and personal preferences. In this article, we will discuss and compare two well-known and prestigious universities in the United States: Notre Dame and Northwestern University. We will provide an overview of each school, breaking down topics such as their costs & tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Notre Dame Overview
Notre Dame, officially known as the University of Notre Dame du Lac, is a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana. Established in 1842, the university is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education and commitment to research. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various fields, including business, engineering, architecture, and liberal arts.
Notre Dame Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Notre Dame is estimated to be around $76,883, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses. However, the university is committed to making education affordable for students by offering need-based financial aid. Approximately 73% of enrolled students receive some form of financial aid, with an average financial aid package of around $45,000.
Notre Dame Admissions
Admission to Notre Dame is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 15.8% for the Class of 2025. Applicants are evaluated holistically, taking into account factors such as academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The university has also adopted a test-optional policy for the 2022-2023 application cycle, meaning that submitting SAT or ACT scores is not required.
Notre Dame Degrees Offered
Notre Dame offers more than 75 undergraduate degree programs, as well as numerous graduate and professional programs. The university is organized into eight colleges, including the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Science, the College of Engineering, and the Mendoza College of Business.
Notre Dame Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 19, Notre Dame offers a highly personalized and rigorous academic experience. The university is renowned for its core curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills across various disciplines. Additionally, Notre Dame offers many research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs to enrich the students’ academic experience.
Notre Dame Diversity
Notre Dame is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, with students from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. The university offers various resources and programs to support underrepresented and international students, such as the Office of Institutional Equity and the Center for Inclusive Excellence.
Notre Dame Students
Notre Dame has a total enrollment of approximately 12,681 students, including 8,731 undergraduate students and 3,950 graduate and professional students. The university is known for its strong sense of community, with over 90% of students living on campus throughout their undergraduate years. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in more than 400 clubs and organizations, ranging from service and cultural clubs to recreational sports and academic societies.
Notre Dame Campus
The iconic 1,250-acre campus of Notre Dame features stunning gothic architecture, beautiful landscapes, and modern facilities. Some of the most notable landmarks include the Golden Dome, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Hesburgh Library. The campus also offers various amenities for students, such as state-of-the-art fitness centers, dining options, and study spaces.
Notre Dame Alumni
Notre Dame boasts a strong and active alumni network, with over 140,000 alumni worldwide. Many graduates have gone on to achieve success in various fields, including business, politics, academia, sports, and entertainment. Some famous alumni include former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, NFL quarterback Joe Montana, and television personality Regis Philbin.
Notre Dame Rankings
Notre Dame consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, it is ranked #19 among National Universities and #9 among Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs.
Notre Dame Outcomes
Graduates of Notre Dame have a strong record of success, with a 90% placement rate within six months of graduation. Additionally, the university has a robust network of career services and resources to support students in their job search and professional development.
Northwestern University Overview
Northwestern University is a private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, with additional campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar. Established in 1851, the university is known for its strong emphasis on research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative education. Northwestern offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various fields, including journalism, engineering, business, and law.
Northwestern University Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Northwestern University is estimated to be around $78,654, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Similar to Notre Dame, Northwestern is committed to making education affordable for students by offering need-based financial aid. Approximately 61% of enrolled students receive some form of financial aid, with an average financial aid package of around $50,000.
Northwestern University Admissions
Admission to Northwestern University is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 8.9% for the Class of 2025. Applicants are evaluated holistically, taking into account factors such as academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. Like Notre Dame, Northwestern has also adopted a test-optional policy for the 2022-2023 application cycle.
Northwestern University Degrees Offered
Northwestern offers more than 150 undergraduate degree programs, as well as numerous graduate and professional programs. The university is organized into twelve schools, including the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Kellogg School of Management.
Northwestern University Academics
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1 and an average class size of 20, Northwestern offers a highly personalized and rigorous academic experience. The university is renowned for its flexible curriculum, allowing students to explore a wide range of subjects and customize their education. Additionally, Northwestern offers many research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs to enrich the students’ academic experience.
Northwestern University Diversity
Northwestern is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, with students from all 50 states and more than 75 countries. The university offers various resources and programs to support underrepresented and international students, such as the Office of Equity and the Multicultural Student Affairs office.
Northwestern University Students
Northwestern has a total enrollment of approximately 22,127 students, including 8,682 undergraduate students and 13,445 graduate and professional students. The university offers a vibrant campus life, with over 500 clubs and organizations, ranging from cultural and service clubs to recreational sports and academic societies.
Northwestern University Campus
The 240-acre campus of Northwestern University is located along the shores of Lake Michigan, offering stunning views and modern facilities. Some of the most notable landmarks include the Deering Library, the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, and the iconic Weber Arch. The campus also offers various amenities for students, such as state-of-the-art fitness centers, dining options, and study spaces.
Northwestern University Alumni
Northwestern boasts a strong and active alumni network, with over 250,000 alumni worldwide. Many graduates have gone on to achieve success in various fields, including business, politics, academia, sports, and entertainment. Some famous alumni include former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and author George R.R. Martin.
Northwestern University Rankings
Northwestern University consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, it is ranked #9 among National Universities and #11 among Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs.
Northwestern University Outcomes
Graduates of Northwestern University have a strong record of success, with a 94% placement rate within six months of graduation. Additionally, the university offers a robust network of career services and resources to support students in their job search and professional development.
Notre Dame vs Northwestern University Cost Comparison
Notre Dame and Northwestern University have similar total costs of attendance, with Notre Dame estimated at $76,883 for the 2021-2022 academic year and Northwestern estimated at $78,654. Both universities are committed to making education affordable for students by offering need-based financial aid, with Notre Dame offering an average financial aid package of around $45,000 and Northwestern offering an average package of around $50,000. The decision of which university to choose may come down to the individual student’s financial aid package and personal preferences.
Notre Dame vs Northwestern University Admissions Difficulty
Both Notre Dame and Northwestern University have highly competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 15.8% and 8.9% for the Class of 2025, respectively. Both universities evaluate applicants holistically, considering factors such as academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. Both schools have also adopted a test-optional policy for the 2022-2023 application cycle. While both universities are difficult to gain admission to, Northwestern has a slightly lower acceptance rate, making it statistically more challenging to get in.
