Head-to-head comparison
University of Notre Dame vs. University of Southern California
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Notre Dame or USC harder to get into?
USC is harder to get into than Notre Dame. USC's 9.8% acceptance rate is lower than Notre Dame's 11.3%.
Which is cheaper, Notre Dame or USC?
Notre Dame costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Notre Dame's average net price is $26,780 vs $32,740 at USC.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Notre Dame graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $99,980 at Notre Dame and $92,498 at USC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Notre Dame | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 9.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1450–1550 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,047 | $90,300 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $26,780 | $32,740 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 9,112 | 20,443 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.2% | 91.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $99,980 | $92,498 |
| Setting | Notre Dame, Indiana | Los Angeles, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
USC is modestly harder to get into. The 1.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Notre Dame is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,960 per year, $23,840 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
USC is substantially larger with 20,443 undergrads vs 9,112 at Notre Dame. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, Indiana; USC is in Los Angeles, California. 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.
USC 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. Notre Dame is 48.7% women, 6.9% international, and 5.7% Asian-American. USC is 52.2% women, 13.3% international, and 23.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Notre Dame | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 48.7% | 52.2% |
| International | 6.9% | 13.3% |
| White | 59.4% | 25.5% |
| Asian | 5.7% | 23.3% |
| Hispanic | 15.3% | 20.0% |
| Black | 4.7% | 7.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Notre Dame vs. USC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Notre Dame if
- Your odds are realistic at Notre Dame (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Notre Dame costs $5,960 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($99,980 vs $92,498)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Catholic intellectual tradition
Pick USC if
- the Iovine and Young Academy
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
University of Notre Dame
11.3% accept · Notre Dame, Indiana
Full profile
University of Southern California
9.8% accept · Los Angeles, California
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.