Choosing between the University of Notre Dame and Wake Forest University for a finance degree comes down to fit: selectivity, curriculum style, recruiting pipelines, and campus vibe. This research-driven college comparison 2025 guide pulls from Common Data Sets (2023–2024), U.S. News/Niche subject rankings, IPEDS/College Scorecard, and official school sites to help you decide which college is better for finance.
Sources used throughout:
- Common Data Sets (2023–2024): Notre Dame IR (Common Data Set), Wake Forest IR (Common Data Set)
- U.S. News/Niche subject rankings (2024/2025)
- IPEDS/College Scorecard
- Mendoza College of Business (Notre Dame) employment reports; Wake Forest School of Business outcomes
Note: If a metric isn’t reported in CDS or varies year to year (especially test-optional score ranges), we say so and link to the source.
Overview: What Each School Is Known For
- University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN): A national Catholic research university with the Mendoza College of Business. Known for a tight-knit residential “hall” culture, Division I athletics, and strong alumni networks in finance, consulting, and accounting. Notre Dame’s finance pipeline to Wall Street investment banking is well-established, with many placements in New York and Chicago.
- Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC): A selective private university with the School of Business offering a BS in Finance and related majors. Known for small classes, intensive mentoring, and strong placement across the Southeast in finance, accounting, and corporate roles. Wake Forest’s “Pro Humanitate” ethos and market-readiness support help students land internships early.
Fast facts students notice:
- Notre Dame is typically more selective, with an acceptance rate around the low teens (CDS 2023–2024).
- Wake Forest is selective and test-optional, with an acceptance rate around the mid-20s (CDS 2023–2024).
- Both have 3-year on-campus housing requirements, tight community, and Division I athletics.
Sources: Common Data Sets 2023–2024 (Notre Dame IR; Wake Forest IR), Official housing policies (Notre Dame Residential Life; Wake Forest Residence Life and Housing).
Admissions Comparison
Below is a side-by-side snapshot using the latest available Common Data Sets (2023–2024). Always confirm specifics in the linked CDS pages because test-optional policies affect who submits scores and published ranges.
| Metric (CDS 2023–2024) | University of Notre Dame | Wake Forest University |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | about 12% [CDS] | about mid-20s% [CDS] |
| Test-optional | Yes | Yes |
| SAT (middle 50% of enrollees who submitted) | approx. 1420–1550 [CDS] | approx. 1390–1500 [CDS] |
| ACT (middle 50% of enrollees who submitted) | approx. 33–35 [CDS] | approx. 31–34 [CDS] |
| % of enrolled who submitted scores | Reported in CDS (test-optional, varies) | Reported in CDS (test-optional, varies) |
| High school GPA reported | Distribution reported; no single “average” GPA in CDS | Distribution reported; no single “average” GPA in CDS |
Why it matters:
- Notre Dame’s lower acceptance rate signals a more statistically selective pool.
- Both schools expect rigorous coursework; scores (if you submit) in the listed middle-50% bands are competitive.
Academic Reputation for Finance
Program structure and national recognition can influence internships and first jobs.
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Notre Dame (Mendoza College of Business)
- Degree: BBA with a Finance major; strong quantitative core plus applied electives (investments, corporate finance, valuation).
- Distinguishers: Student International Business Council (SIBC), investment clubs and student-managed funds, case competitions, and alumni mentorship on Wall Street.
- Reputation: Frequently cited among the nation’s better undergraduate finance programs in major rankings (e.g., U.S. News subject rankings; Niche finance/accounting lists). Expect small-to-moderate class sizes and a broad business core.
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Wake Forest (School of Business)
- Degree: BS in Finance; options to pair with Accountancy, Mathematical Business, or Analytics-related coursework.
- Distinguishers: Market Readiness & Employment program, Student Investment Fund, hands-on projects with alumni partners, and intensive career coaching.
- Reputation: Strong regional brand in the Southeast with solid national reach; recognized in Niche and U.S. News business program rankings.
Rankings context:
- U.S. News “Best Undergraduate Finance Programs” (2024) consistently lists Notre Dame among nationally competitive programs; Wake Forest is recognized in overall undergraduate business rankings. Exact placements can shift annually; consult U.S. News for the current year.
- On Niche’s 2025 “Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance,” both schools score highly; Notre Dame typically earns an A+/A-level program rating, and Wake Forest an A-range rating. Check Niche for current rank details.
Sources: Notre Dame Mendoza Undergraduate Programs; Wake Forest School of Business Undergraduate Programs; U.S. News rankings; Niche rankings.
Student Life, Campus Vibe, and Housing
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Community and size
- Notre Dame: Residential hall system with signature traditions; faith-friendly environment; spirited athletics. Undergraduates form a close community centered around single-sex residence halls and hall programming.
- Wake Forest: Small classes and high faculty engagement; active Greek life alongside campus clubs; Division I ACC sports.
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Housing
- Notre Dame: Three-year on-campus residency expectation; strong hall identity and programming. Source: Notre Dame Residential Life.
- Wake Forest: Three-year on-campus residency requirement; mix of traditional and apartment-style housing. Source: Wake Forest Residence Life and Housing.
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Location
- Notre Dame: South Bend, IN—Midwest college town with easy access to Chicago for finance recruiting.
- Wake Forest: Winston-Salem, NC—part of the Piedmont Triad; proximity to Charlotte and Raleigh finance hubs.
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Student organizations for finance
- Notre Dame: SIBC, Investment Club, Wall Street Club, student-managed funds.
- Wake Forest: Student Investment Fund, finance/consulting clubs, alumni mentoring through Market Readiness.
If you want a campus defined by residential traditions and a national alumni presence in New York finance, Notre Dame fits well. For smaller classes and strong support connecting to Southeast finance markets (Charlotte, Atlanta), Wake Forest is compelling.
Career Outcomes: Salaries and Jobs
Use official employment reports and College Scorecard for direction; salaries vary by role, location, and year.
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Notre Dame (Mendoza Undergraduate)
- Finance recruiting includes investment banking, equity research, corporate finance, and asset management.
- Recent undergraduate outcomes indicate very high placement rates and strong compensation, with finance-heavy cohorts.
- For finance roles (especially investment banking), base salaries commonly cluster in the high five figures to low six figures; recent reports show finance-adjacent medians around the high five figures to low six figures, with signing bonuses typical in banking/consulting.
- Fact nugget: Investment banking analyst base salaries in 2023–2024 commonly started near the low $100,000 range at many large firms nationwide (context for top offers; employer-specific). Check Mendoza’s latest Undergraduate Employment Report for precise medians by function.
- Sources: Mendoza Undergraduate Career Development — Employment Reports; College Scorecard (Notre Dame profile) for overall earnings context.
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Wake Forest (School of Business Undergraduate)
- Finance graduates place into investment banking, wealth management, corporate finance/FP&A, and consulting, with strong pipelines in the Southeast.
- Recent undergraduate outcomes show strong placement and solid median starting pay, often in the mid-to-upper five figures; signing bonuses are common in banking/consulting.
- Fact nugget: Finance majors commonly report base salaries in roughly the $70,000–$90,000 band, varying by city and role; top investment banking offers can exceed that range. See Wake Forest School of Business Undergraduate Outcomes for program-specific medians and employers.
- Sources: Wake Forest School of Business — Market Readiness & Employment/Outcomes; College Scorecard (Wake Forest profile) for overall earnings.
What to watch:
- City matters: New York and major banking hubs generally pay more than regional corporate finance roles.
- Major plus internships: Multiple internships and advanced technical prep (valuation/modeling) correlate with higher-paying finance roles.
Which School Is Right for You?
Choose Notre Dame if you:
- Want a nationally recognized finance brand with strong placement into Wall Street and consulting.
- Prefer a residential hall culture with faith-friendly traditions.
- Are comfortable with a highly selective admissions process and a broad business core emphasizing ethics and leadership.
Choose Wake Forest if you:
- Prefer smaller class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and a strong career-coaching model.
- Aim to build a finance career in the Southeast (Charlotte, Atlanta) with growing national options.
- Like a tight community with active campus life and Greek options.
Also consider:
- Cost/ROI: Compare your personalized net price (aid/scholarships) using each school’s net price calculator; finance is typically among the best ROI majors, but individual outcomes vary.
- Learning style: Team-based projects, hands-on funds, and case competitions exist at both—tour classes/clubs that match your interests.
How GoodGoblin Helps You Choose
GoodGoblin aggregates verified data (CDS, IPEDS/Scorecard, and official outcomes) to build side-by-side comparisons tailored to your goals:
- See real admissions bands, costs, and aid likelihood for your profile.
- Compare finance curricula, class sizes, and recruiting pipelines.
- Project ROI using salary benchmarks by role and city.
We surface the facts so you can decide which college is better for finance based on fit and outcomes—not hype.
References and links:
- Common Data Set 2023–2024: University of Notre Dame (Institutional Research — CDS), Wake Forest University (Institutional Research — CDS)
- Notre Dame Mendoza Undergraduate Programs and Employment Reports
- Wake Forest School of Business Undergraduate Programs and Outcomes (Market Readiness & Employment)
- U.S. News Best Undergraduate Finance Programs (2024); Niche Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance (2025)
- College Scorecard: University of Notre Dame; Wake Forest University
Important accuracy note: Admissions rates, testing ranges, and salary medians change annually. Always verify the latest CDS and official employment reports before finalizing decisions.
