Purdue University vs University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame is the more selective of the two at 11%, versus 50% at Purdue University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Purdue University
Selective
50%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1430
Public · Indiana
University of Notre Dame
Highly selective
11%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1550
Private · Indiana

Purdue University vs University of Notre Dame: the differences that matter

How Purdue University and University of Notre Dame stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

University of Notre Dame is meaningfully harder to get into, admitting about 11% of applicants versus 50% at Purdue University, a gap of roughly 39 percentage points. Treat University of Notre Dame as the bigger reach of the two when you build your list.

The two also read applications a little differently. Purdue University leans more on a similar mix of factors, while University of Notre Dame puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, interview. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Purdue University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1430 and University of Notre Dame's is around 1550. Admitted students at University of Notre Dame post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorPurdue UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankimportantimportant
Standardized test scoresvery importantvery important
Application essayimportantvery important
Recommendationsimportantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredvery important
Talent / abilityconsideredvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Purdue University or University of Notre Dame harder to get into?

University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, with a 11% acceptance rate versus 50% at Purdue University.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Purdue University and University of Notre Dame?

Purdue University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1430, and University of Notre Dame's is around 1550.

What are my chances at Purdue University and University of Notre Dame?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.