Ohio State University vs University of Notre Dame

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Ohio State University is a public university based in Columbus, Ohio in the Columbus metropolitan area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 45,700 undergraduate students. Admissions are moderately selective with an overall acceptance rate of 51%. Some of the most popular majors are Finance, Experimental Psychology, and Marketing. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Alumni have a starting salary of INR 68 lakh (converted from median early-career earnings of $58,600).

University of Notre Dame is a top-tier private university situated in Notre Dame, Indiana in the South Bend metropolitan area. It is a mid-sized institution with approximately 8,970 undergraduate students. Admissions are very selective with an acceptance rate of around 12%. General Finance, Econometrics & Quantitative Economics, and Political Science are popular majors. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 97%. Alumni have a median starting salary of about INR 61 lakh (converted from $70,362).

Overview Comparison
Ohio State UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame
Collegedunia Score6.1 Out of 105.6 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 190 QS World University 2026
# 55 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 116 Times Higher Education 2025
# 294 QS World University 2026
# 196 Times Higher Education 2025
# 205 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 27 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 84 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 28 for Law by US News 2025
# 47 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 883 for Medicine by US News 2022
# 20 for Law by US News 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -146
PG Programs -75
Doctorate Programs -100
UG Programs -44
PG Programs -24
Doctorate Programs -1
Acceptance Rate57.2 %13.0 %
Exam ScoreDuolingo-120
IELTS-7
SAT-1260
TOEFL-79
GMAT-671
IELTS-7.5
PTE-70
SAT-1370
TOEFL-84
placement (average package)

Average Salaries are listed below:

  • MBA  :  $114,000 
  • Doctorate : $108,000 
  • Masters in Science : $99,000 
  • Bachelor of Science : $89,000 
  • Bachelor of Arts :  $75,000 
  • Master (Other) : $57,000 

Graduate employability- #191-200.
Top recruiters for MBA class- Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, EY, PwC, etc.
Average overall salary- $70,000.
Median base salary- $110,000


application requirements

Academic transcripts; Academic recommendation; Standardized test scores; 2-3 LORs; Resume; SOPs/ Essays; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional Requirements (video interview, work experience, research papers, etc.).

Essay with 200 words, one letter of recommendation, completing CSS profile, Interviews. 

Campuses and B-SchoolsFisher College of Business
Mendoza College of Business
CollegeDunia Reviews8.5/10 Read 6 reviews7.6/10 Read 2 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 24 for Business by US News 2025
# 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 119 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 32 for Business by US News 2025
# 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 201 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 80/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesApr 25, 2025 (Final Application Deadline For Autumn 2025 Intake)
May 30, 2025 (Final Application Decision For Autumn 2025 Intake)
Oct 15, 2024 (Application Deadline 1 For 2025 Intake)
Jan 7, 2025 (Application Deadline 2 For 2025 Intake)
Mar 17, 2025 (Application Deadline 3 For 2025 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsOhio State UniversityUniversity of Notre Dame
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1922
1842
Student:Faculty Ratio13:1
13:1
Male:Female51% Male, 49% Female53% Male, 47% Female
Location Facts

main campus in Columbus & regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, & Wooster; 1,764-acre main campus, about 2.5 miles north of the city's downtown


It is located adjacent to south bend of Indiana and in the center of a metropolitans populated area. Situated in an unincorporated area of northern Indian, Michiana. It is noted for its basilica and golden dome.


Library

18th largest university research library in North America; 21 libraries on Columbus campus, 8 branches at off-campus research facilities & regional campuses, 1 book storage depository near campus; 5.8 million volumes in total.


The university has 13 libraries of its own and 5 libraries in partnership. The main library- Hesburgh library is more than 50 years old and is centerpiece of intellectual pursuits at Notre Dame. 


Campus Life

90-acre recreational space; 6 Rec Sports facilities; 8 health & student wellness centers; 1000+ student organizations; 3 Arts and Culture centers; 30+ food outlets across different campuses; Ohio Union (One of area's most comprehensive event centers); The Lantern (official daily student published newspaper, one of the largest campus newspaper in USA).


University’s Gothic architecture offers you to indulge in 500+ clubs and societies, 5 recreation venues, and 28 on-campus eateries. There are overall 33 residence halls offering accommodation to all the students. The center of career and professional development offers both UG and PG students with career-related services and the opportunity to meet potential employers. 


Hostel#Food and housing - $14738
#On campus - $14890
#Off campus (not with family) - $14890
Famous Alumni

570,000 living alumni; Larry Sanger (one of the founders of Wikipedia); Steve May (chief technology officer at Pixar); James S. Albus (Roboticist); Jesse Owens (American athlete); R. L. Stine (American novelist); Roy Lichtenstein (American artist); Patricia Heaton (American actress); Woody Hayes (American football player); James Thurber (American cartoonist); Ross Butler (American actor).


Condoleezza Rice (Former Us Secretary of State), Regs Philbin (TV presenter), Joe Montana (football player), Nicholas Spark (novelist), Hannah Storm (journalist), Thom Browne (fashion designer), Joe Donnelly (former US Senator), Sean Conley (physician), John Ratcliffe (former US representative), Robert Costa (journalist), etc. 


City Life

Columbus- the capital & largest city in Ohio; distinctive neighborhoods, dynamic nightlife & music, creative arts scene, original culinary experiences, wide array of festivals; famous attractions: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Museum of Art, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Huntington Park, Topiary Park; Unemployment Rate: 3.5% (Dec 2019)


The midwestern city has various cultural attractions, great restaurants, and access to great outdoors. Offers various adventure sports and offers around 30% less cost of living as compared to the rest of UK. IT is voted among some of the best cities to live in the US.


Weather
Comparison Notes

Ohio State University (OSU) vs University of Notre Dame

Subject Strength & Global Standing

Ohio State University, a large public research university, shines in a broad range of fields — especially engineering, computer science, health sciences, and business with many programs ranked among the country's best. Notre Dame, a private university, is well known for its strengths in business, social sciences, and also values liberal arts with strong academic performance across the board. Internationally, Ohio State is mid-range, at about 116th in the Times Higher Education international rankings and 190th in the QS rankings. Notre Dame ranks lower internationally, at about 316th in the QS rankings, but its national reputation is much stronger.

General Information & Campus Environment

OSU is in Columbus, Ohio. With more than 60,000 students, it has a lively, urban campus life, spread out over a big footprint. Notre Dame is found in a slightly more suburban/rural area in Indiana and takes in approximately 13,000 students. The smaller scale provides students with a closer-knit community and college environment.

Acceptance Rate & Academic Selectivity

Notre Dame is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 12 – 13%, as opposed to OSU's moderate selectivity of about 50 – 53%. It takes more average test scores and GPAs to gain admission to Notre Dame, indicative of higher competition and selectivity.

Cost & Financial Aid

Because it is a public institution, OSU charges significantly less to residents of the state (approximately $11,800) and relatively more for out-of-state residents. The tuition at Notre Dame is much higher (roughly $60,000 per year). The gap in net price is somewhat bridged by Notre Dame's substantial grant aid, but all things being equal, OSU is still the better value—especially for in-state students.

Academic Outcomes & Career Results

Notre Dame has a graduation rate of about 96%, while OSU's is about 80%. Notre Dame graduates earn a median of about $89,800 ten years after graduation, while OSU graduates earn about $50,600. Both have comparable median debt load for students, but Notre Dame graduates are far more likely to be on-time with loan payments.

Student Demographics & Campus Culture

OSU has a student body with approximately two-thirds in-state students and a racial composition with a decent percentage of Hispanic and Black students but less diverse overall. Notre Dame has a greater percentage of out-of-state students (84%), a bit more Hispanic presence, and smaller international student enrollment. OSU has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, while Notre Dame provides a better 9:1.

Athletics and Community Spirit

Both institutions are football powerhouses with loyal fan bases. Ohio State boasts one of the greatest programs in college football history, with many national titles and Heisman winners. Notre Dame, with its rich football heritage, also has a national following and high alumni involvement through athletic identity.