When it comes to choosing the right university, students are often faced with tough decisions. Two such universities that offer a high-quality education and an engaging campus life are Notre Dame and Duke. In this comparison, we take a closer look at these respected institutions to help you make an informed decision. We will examine various aspects such as costs, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
Notre Dame Overview
Notre Dame, founded in 1842, is a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana. It has a strong emphasis on liberal arts education and a commitment to social engagement. With a rich history and beautiful campus, Notre Dame is well-known for its academics, athletics, and strong sense of community.
Notre Dame Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Notre Dame for the 2021-2022 academic year is $57,934, with room and board adding an additional $15,984. The total cost of attendance, including fees, is estimated at $76,078. The university offers financial aid packages for eligible students, with 59% of students receiving need-based aid, and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $39,600.
Notre Dame Admissions
Admission to Notre Dame is competitive, with an acceptance rate of 15.8%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 4.18, and 88% of admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1420-1550, and the middle 50% ACT score range is 33-35.
Notre Dame Degrees Offered
Notre Dame offers over 75 undergraduate majors, as well as numerous graduate and professional programs. Some of the most popular majors include Finance, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Political Science and Government, and Economics. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, and 59.4% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
Notre Dame Academics
Notre Dame is known for its rigorous academics and commitment to undergraduate education. The university has a four-year graduation rate of 89%, and the six-year graduation rate is 95%. In addition, the freshman retention rate is an impressive 98%.
Notre Dame Diversity
Notre Dame has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 70 countries. The undergraduate population is 43% female and 57% male, and 32% of students identify as a racial or ethnic minority.
Notre Dame Students
The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 8,731 students. Notre Dame is known for its strong sense of community and active student life, with over 400 student clubs and organizations, including the popular student-run newspaper The Observer and the television station NDtv.
Notre Dame Campus
Notre Dame’s campus spans 1,250 acres and features a mix of Gothic and modern architecture, with notable landmarks such as the Golden Dome, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Hesburgh Library. The campus offers a variety of housing options, including 31 residence halls, and all freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus.
Notre Dame Alumni
Notre Dame has a strong alumni network with over 144,000 living alumni. Notable graduates include Joe Montana, Condoleezza Rice, and Regis Philbin. The university’s alumni association offers numerous resources and networking opportunities to help graduates stay connected and engaged with their alma mater.
Notre Dame Rankings
In the 2022 US News & World Report rankings, Notre Dame is ranked #19 in National Universities, #11 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #1 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
Notre Dame Outcomes
Notre Dame graduates have a strong track record of success in their careers. According to the university’s data, 95% of recent graduates are employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $61,000.
Duke Overview
Duke University, founded in 1838 and located in Durham, North Carolina, is a prestigious private research university known for its robust academics, competitive athletics, and beautiful campus. Duke offers a diverse range of academic programs, world-class faculty, and a strong commitment to research and innovation.
Duke Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition at Duke is $60,244, with room and board adding an additional $17,684. The total cost of attendance, including fees, is estimated at $80,612. The university provides financial aid packages to eligible students, with 50% of students receiving need-based aid, and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $52,681.
Duke Admissions
Admission to Duke is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 7.7%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 4.17, and 96% of admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class. The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1480-1570, and the middle 50% ACT score range is 33-35.
Duke Degrees Offered
Duke offers over 50 undergraduate majors and over 40 minors, as well as numerous graduate and professional programs. Some of the most popular majors include Economics, Biology, Computer Science, Public Policy Analysis, and Psychology. The student-faculty ratio is 6:1, and 70.3% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
Duke Academics
Duke is renowned for its academic excellence and innovative research. The university has a four-year graduation rate of 87%, and the six-year graduation rate is 95%. The freshman retention rate is an impressive 97%.
Duke Diversity
Duke University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, with students from all 50 states and over 120 countries. The undergraduate population is 49% female and 51% male, and 47% of students identify as a racial or ethnic minority.
Duke Students
Duke has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 6,994 students. Student life at the university is vibrant, with over 400 student clubs and organizations, including the well-known Duke Chronicle newspaper and Duke University Improv.
Duke Campus
Duke’s campus spans 8,600 acres and features stunning Gothic architecture, including the iconic Duke Chapel. The campus offers a variety of housing options, with 30 residence halls and six apartment buildings. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus.
Duke Alumni
Duke boasts a strong alumni network, with more than 180,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable graduates include Tim Cook, Melinda Gates, and Grant Hill. The university’s alumni association provides resources and networking opportunities to help graduates stay engaged with their alma mater.
Duke Rankings
In the 2022 US News & World Report rankings, Duke is ranked #9 in National Universities, #12 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #8 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
Duke Outcomes
Duke graduates have a history of success in their careers, with 95% of recent graduates employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Duke graduates is $76,000.
Notre Dame vs Duke Cost Comparison
Notre Dame’s tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year is slightly lower than Duke’s at $57,934 compared to Duke’s $60,244. However, when factoring in room, board, and fees, the total cost of attendance is comparable, at $76,078 for Notre Dame and $80,612 for Duke. Financial aid packages are available at both universities, with Notre Dame offering an average need-based scholarship or grant award of $39,600, while Duke offers a more generous average of $52,681.
Notre Dame vs Duke Admissions Difficulty
Both Notre Dame and Duke have highly competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates of 15.8% and 7.7% respectively. Admitted students at both universities have high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores, indicating that both schools are looking for academically accomplished applicants. However, Duke’s lower acceptance rate suggests that it may be more difficult to gain admission compared to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame vs Duke Academic Difficulty
Both universities are renowned for their rigorous academics and commitment to undergraduate education. Notre Dame and Duke have similar student-faculty ratios of 10:1 and 6:1, respectively, and both have a high percentage of classes with fewer than 20 students. The four-year and six-year graduation rates at both universities are also comparable, with Notre Dame’s four-year rate at 89% and Duke’s at 87%. The six-year graduation rate for both is 95%. The freshman retention rates at Notre Dame and Duke are 98% and 97%, respectively, indicating high satisfaction among students.
Notre Dame vs Duke Outcome Comparison
Notre Dame and Duke graduates both have strong post-graduation outcomes, with 95% of recent graduates from each university employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. However, the average starting salary for Duke graduates is $76,000, which is higher than the average starting salary of $61,000 for Notre Dame graduates. This difference may be partially due to the different industries and fields that graduates from each university pursue.
