Analysis
Notre Dame's Management Sciences program delivers exactly what you'd expect from an elite institution: first-year earnings of $83,810 that crush the national median by 35%. What makes this particularly compelling is the reasonable debt burden—at $19,000, graduates owe less than a quarter of their first-year salary. This combination places Notre Dame graduates in the top 5% nationally for earnings while keeping debt below the national median.
The Indiana story, however, adds nuance. While Notre Dame still outearns other state programs, it's closer to the pack than you might expect—Purdue grads earn $70,900 in their first year, just 18% less. Given Notre Dame's 12% admission rate and sky-high SAT scores (1510 average), that gap isn't enormous. You're essentially paying for the Notre Dame network and brand, which matters significantly in quantitative fields where elite recruiting pipelines can open doors to consulting and finance that state schools simply don't access as readily.
The bottom line: this program delivers strong financial returns with manageable debt, making it a solid investment for families who can navigate Notre Dame's selective admissions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means your child could realistically pay off loans within a year or two of aggressive saving. Just remember that comparable outcomes exist at less selective Indiana schools if Notre Dame's admission hurdle proves too high.
Where University of Notre Dame Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Notre Dame graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $62,693 | $83,810 | — | $19,000 | 0.23 | |
| $9,992 | $70,903 | $92,054 | $18,284 | 0.26 | |
| $10,758 | $67,350 | $80,507 | $16,654 | 0.25 | |
| $9,992 | $67,267 | $67,319 | — | — | |
| $46,588 | $67,129 | — | — | — | |
| National Median | — | $62,069 | — | $23,250 | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Operations Research Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Notre Dame, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 64 graduates with reported earnings and 58 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.