Purdue University-Main Campus 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 2.4 years at Purdue University-Main Campus, on median earnings of $99,980 vs $72,424 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University-Main Campus | University of Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,600 | $26,780 |
| Total net cost | $58,400 | $107,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $72,424 | $99,980 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $19,000 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $422,880 | $925,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University-Main Campus or University of Notre Dame?
Purdue University-Main Campus, at $14,600 a year after aid versus $26,780 — a gap of $12,180 a year, or $48,720 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Purdue University-Main Campus or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates report a median $99,980 ten years after entry, $27,556 more than the $72,424 at Purdue University-Main Campus. 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, Purdue University-Main Campus or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Purdue University-Main Campus, a difference of $500. 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 83% at Purdue University-Main Campus. 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.