Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Notre Dame — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Notre Dame, IN · 8,818 students

The verdict

University of Notre Dame charges a net price of $26,780/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $107,120. Graduates earn a median $99,980 ten years after entry, $51,620/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.1 years — a 20-year net return of $925,280, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share

University of Notre Dame's 2.1-year payback ranks #89 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 93% of them, and #1 of 56 in Indiana.

Better ROI than 93% of US colleges#89 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$26,780
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$99,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
2.1 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
11%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Notre Dame: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$26,780/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$107,120our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$99,980Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$51,620/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$19,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback2.1 yrsour math
20-year net return$925,280our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Notre Dame's own numbers. Net price $26,780 × 4 years = $107,120 total. Median earnings $99,980 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $51,620 a year of premium. $107,120 ÷ $51,620 = 2.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $925,280. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do University of Notre Dame students graduate with?

A median $19,000 in federal loans among completers, or 19% of the $99,980 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Notre Dame students graduate?

95% finish their degree. Spread the $107,120 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $112,758 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Notre Dame expensive compared with other Indiana colleges?

Its $26,780 net price runs $7,083 above the $19,698 median across the 56 Indiana colleges we profile, or $28,330 more across the full degree.

University of Notre Dame: frequently asked questions

Is University of Notre Dame worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Notre Dame charges $26,780/yr after aid ($107,120 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $99,980 ten years out — $51,620/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 2.1 years and returns $925,280 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of Notre Dame degree take to pay off?
About 2.1 years. We divide the $107,120 four-year net cost by the $51,620/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Notre Dame cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $26,780/yr — about $107,120 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Notre Dame compare to other Indiana colleges?
It ranks #1 of 56 Indiana colleges we track by payback. Its $99,980 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $26,780 net price is above the national median of $16,902.