Head-to-head · 2026
Purdue University-Main Campus vs University of Notre Dame
Compare average net price ($14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus; $26,780 at University of Notre Dame), ROI score (12.40 vs 9.33), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($72,424 vs $99,980), and admissions selectivity (49.9% acceptance at Purdue University-Main Campus; 11.3% at University of Notre Dame) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Purdue University-Main Campus | University of Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.40 ✓ | 9.33 |
| Avg net price | $14,600 ✓ | $26,780 |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,400 ✓ | $107,120 |
| In-state tuition | $9,992 | $65,025 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,794 | $65,025 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $72,424 | $99,980 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 49.9% | 11.3% |
| Graduation rate | 83.1% | 95.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 92.7% | 99.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $19,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 44,503 | 8,818 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1364 | 1520 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Purdue University-Main Campus | University of Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,098 ✓ | $7,244 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,241 ✓ | $7,254 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,438 ✓ | $11,432 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,177 ✓ | $18,670 |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,742 ✓ | $45,321 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Purdue University-Main Campus | University of Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.2% | 7.4% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 2.5% | 7.5% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 1.7% | 6.4% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Economics | 1.5% | 5.3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.8% | 2.9% |
| Political Science and Government | 1% | 4% |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 4% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Purdue University-Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $12,180 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $48,720 difference over four years ($58,400 vs $107,120).
University of Notre Dame reports $27,556 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($99,980 vs $72,424). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.7% at Purdue University-Main Campus and 99.1% at University of Notre Dame. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $19,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Purdue University-Main Campus vs University of Notre Dame, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Purdue University-Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $14,600 per year vs $26,780 at University of Notre Dame. The annual difference of $12,180 adds up to about $48,720 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Notre Dame reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $99,980 vs $72,424 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $27,556. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Notre Dame is more selective at 11.3% acceptance vs 49.9% at Purdue University-Main Campus.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.