University of Notre Dame vs University of Southern California
Both universities are highly selective, with USC accepting 12.02% of applicants compared to Notre Dame's 12.91%. The admission difficulty is nearly identical at these competitive institutions.
USC carries a higher sticker price at $68,237 versus Notre Dame's $62,693, but both schools provide substantial financial aid. Notre Dame offers better value with an average net price of $27,823 compared to USC's $31,927. Graduates from both schools carry similar debt loads around $18,000-19,000.
Notre Dame demonstrates superior retention (98.18% vs 96.50%) and graduation rates (96.80% vs 92.00%). However, both schools maintain identical 9:1 student-faculty ratios, ensuring small class sizes and personalized attention.
Notre Dame graduates earn higher median salaries at $99,980 compared to USC's $92,498 after ten years. This $7,482 difference may reflect Notre Dame's strong alumni network and business connections.
Campus experiences differ significantly. Notre Dame's 8,923 students create a tight-knit community in Indiana, while USC's 20,817 students enjoy the resources and opportunities of Los Angeles. Both offer Division I athletics, but Notre Dame's football culture is deeply embedded in campus identity.
USC excels in film, communications, and business programs, benefiting from Hollywood and Silicon Beach connections. Notre Dame is particularly strong in business, engineering, and liberal arts, with a Catholic intellectual tradition.
Students seeking a smaller, tradition-focused community with strong graduate outcomes should consider Notre Dame, while those wanting urban opportunities and diverse academic programs in a larger setting may prefer USC.
Both universities are highly selective, with USC accepting 12.02% of applicants compared to Notre Dame's 12.91%. The admission difficulty is nearly identical at these competitive institutions.
USC carries a higher sticker price at $68,237 versus Notre Dame's $62,693, but both schools provide substantial financial aid. Notre Dame offers better value with an average net price of $27,823 compared to USC's $31,927. Graduates from both schools carry similar debt loads around $18,000-19,000.
Notre Dame demonstrates superior retention (98.18% vs 96.50%) and graduation rates (96.80% vs 92.00%). However, both schools maintain identical 9:1 student-faculty ratios, ensuring small class sizes and personalized attention.
Notre Dame graduates earn higher median salaries at $99,980 compared to USC's $92,498 after ten years. This $7,482 difference may reflect Notre Dame's strong alumni network and business connections.
Campus experiences differ significantly. Notre Dame's 8,923 students create a tight-knit community in Indiana, while USC's 20,817 students enjoy the resources and opportunities of Los Angeles. Both offer Division I athletics, but Notre Dame's football culture is deeply embedded in campus identity.
USC excels in film, communications, and business programs, benefiting from Hollywood and Silicon Beach connections. Notre Dame is particularly strong in business, engineering, and liberal arts, with a Catholic intellectual tradition.
Students seeking a smaller, tradition-focused community with strong graduate outcomes should consider Notre Dame, while those wanting urban opportunities and diverse academic programs in a larger setting may prefer USC.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| University of Notre Dame | University of Southern California | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 12.9% | 12.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Enrollment | 8,923 | 20,817 |
| In-State Tuition | $62,693 | $68,237 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $62,693 | $68,237 |
| Net Price | $27,823 | $31,927 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 96.8% | 92.0% |
| Retention Rate | 98.2% | 96.5% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $99,980 | $92,498 |
| Median Debt | $19,000 | $18,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| University of Notre Dame | University of Southern California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $89,968 | Computer Software and Media Applications. | $108,649 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $86,375 | Computer Science. | $91,986 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other. | $80,273 | Computer Engineering. | $90,602 |
| Computer Engineering. | $79,598 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $80,567 |
| Chemical Engineering. | $76,460 | Industrial Engineering. | $78,029 |