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College Comparison

University of Notre Dame vs University of Colorado Boulder: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

School

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricNotre DameCU Boulder
Acceptance Rate12.4%wins83.3%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1440–1540wins1230–1420
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins28–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,693$41,943wins
Avg Net Price$27,823$21,480wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$99,980wins$69,738
Graduation Rate96.8%wins75.0%
Retention Rate98.2%wins89.2%
Student–Faculty Ratio9:1wins19:1
Total Enrollment8,92331,578wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Notre Dame edges out CU Boulder on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Notre Dame Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 12.4%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1440–1540
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $99,980

CU Boulder Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $41,943
  • Avg Net Price: $21,480
  • Total Enrollment: 31,578

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