Head-to-head comparison
University of Notre Dame vs Marian University-Ancilla: which has better ROI?
Option A Notre Dame, IN
University of Notre Dame
- Net price / year
- $26,780
- Earnings, 10 years
- $99,980
- Payback
- 2.1 yrs
Option B Plymouth, IN
Marian University-Ancilla
- Net price / year
- $19,463
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,759
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
University of Notre Dame has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,120 in 2.1 years versus 3.7 years at Marian University-Ancilla, on median earnings of $99,980 vs $58,759 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Notre Dame | Marian University-Ancilla |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,780 | $19,463 |
| Total net cost | $107,120 | $38,926 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $99,980 | $58,759 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $925,280 | $169,054 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Notre Dame or Marian University-Ancilla?
Marian University-Ancilla, at $19,463 a year after aid versus $26,780 — a gap of $7,317 a year, or $68,194 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Notre Dame or Marian University-Ancilla graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates report a median $99,980 ten years after entry, $41,221 more than the $58,759 at Marian University-Ancilla. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Notre Dame or Marian University-Ancilla?
University of Notre Dame: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Marian University-Ancilla, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.