Head-to-head · 2026
University of Notre Dame vs Vanderbilt University
Compare average net price ($26,780 at University of Notre Dame; $15,846 at Vanderbilt University), ROI score (9.33 vs 14.45), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($99,980 vs $91,565), and admissions selectivity (11.3% acceptance at University of Notre Dame; 5.9% at Vanderbilt University) 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 | University of Notre Dame | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.33 | 14.45 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $26,780 | $15,846 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $107,120 | $63,384 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $65,025 | $67,498 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $65,025 | $67,498 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $99,980 ✓ | $91,565 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 5.9% |
| Graduation rate | 95.2% ✓ | 93.5% |
| Retention rate | 99.1% ✓ | 96.3% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $14,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 8,818 | 7,208 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1520 | 1549 |
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 | University of Notre Dame | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,244 | $3,414 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,254 | $1,876 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,432 | $4,498 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,670 | $12,153 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $45,321 | $45,145 ✓ |
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 | University of Notre Dame | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.4% | 5.6% |
| Economics | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 7.5% | 2% |
| Law | 4.4% | 3.4% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 6.4% | 0.1% |
| Political Science and Government | 4% | 2.4% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 0.2% | 5.9% |
| Applied Mathematics | 2.1% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Vanderbilt University reports the lower average net price by $10,934 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $43,736 difference over four years ($63,384 vs $107,120).
University of Notre Dame reports $8,415 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($99,980 vs $91,565). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 99.1% at University of Notre Dame and 96.3% at Vanderbilt University. Median federal debt among completers is $19,000 vs $14,000, 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of Notre Dame vs Vanderbilt University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Vanderbilt University is cheaper — average net price $15,846 per year vs $26,780 at University of Notre Dame. The annual difference of $10,934 adds up to about $43,736 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 $91,565 at Vanderbilt University. The gap in the federal data is $8,415. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Vanderbilt University is more selective at 5.9% acceptance vs 11.3% at University of Notre Dame.
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.