University of Notre Dame vs DePauw University: 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 years at DePauw University, on median earnings of $99,980 vs $70,527 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Notre Dame | DePauw University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,780 | $22,264 |
| Total net cost | $107,120 | $89,056 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $99,980 | $70,527 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $925,280 | $354,284 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Notre Dame or DePauw University?
DePauw University, at $22,264 a year after aid versus $26,780 — a gap of $4,516 a year, or $18,064 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Notre Dame or DePauw University graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates report a median $99,980 ten years after entry, $29,453 more than the $70,527 at DePauw University. 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, University of Notre Dame or DePauw University?
University of Notre Dame: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at DePauw University, a difference of $8,000. 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 75% at DePauw University. 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.