Head-to-head comparison
Georgetown University vs. University of Notre Dame
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Georgetown or Notre Dame harder to get into?
Notre Dame is harder to get into than Georgetown. Notre Dame's 11.3% acceptance rate is lower than Georgetown's 12.2%.
Which is cheaper, Georgetown or Notre Dame?
Notre Dame costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Notre Dame's average net price is $26,780 vs $40,815 at Georgetown.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Georgetown graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,494 at Georgetown and $99,980 at Notre Dame.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Georgetown | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 12.2% | 11.3% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1410–1540 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,762 | $84,047 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $40,815 | $26,780 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,958 | 9,112 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.8% | 95.2% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,494 | $99,980 |
| Setting | Washington, D.C. | Notre Dame, Indiana |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Georgetown's 12.2% acceptance rate and Notre Dame's 11.3% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Notre Dame is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $14,035 per year, $56,140 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Georgetown is in Washington, D.C.; Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, Indiana. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Georgetown has a more international student body (13.3% non-resident students vs 6.9%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Georgetown is 59.0% women, 13.3% international, and 15.4% Asian-American. Notre Dame is 48.7% women, 6.9% international, and 5.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Georgetown | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.0% | 48.7% |
| International | 13.3% | 6.9% |
| White | 46.1% | 59.4% |
| Asian | 15.4% | 5.7% |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 15.3% |
| Black | 4.9% | 4.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Georgetown vs. Notre Dame?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Georgetown if
- Your odds are realistic at Georgetown (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,494 vs $99,980)
- the School of Foreign Service
Pick Notre Dame if
- Net price matters: Notre Dame costs $14,035 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Catholic intellectual tradition
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Georgetown University
12.2% accept · Washington, D.C.
Full profile
University of Notre Dame
11.3% accept · Notre Dame, Indiana
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.