Indiana University-Bloomington vs University of Notre Dame: which has better ROI?
University of Notre Dame has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,120 in 2.1 years versus 4.2 years at Indiana University-Bloomington, on median earnings of $99,980 vs $63,742 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Indiana University-Bloomington | University of Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,264 | $26,780 |
| Total net cost | $65,056 | $107,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,742 | $99,980 |
| Median debt | $19,509 | $19,000 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $242,584 | $925,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Bloomington or University of Notre Dame?
Indiana University-Bloomington, at $16,264 a year after aid versus $26,780 — a gap of $10,516 a year, or $42,064 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Indiana University-Bloomington or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates report a median $99,980 ten years after entry, $36,238 more than the $63,742 at Indiana University-Bloomington. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Indiana University-Bloomington or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $19,509 at Indiana University-Bloomington, a difference of $509. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
95% of students finish at University of Notre Dame, against 80% at Indiana University-Bloomington. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.