Which is better for undergraduate teaching: Notre Dame or Washington University in St. Louis?

Notre Dame has the edge for undergraduate teaching. Its identity is built around the undergraduate experience, and that shows up in smaller, discussion-friendly classes, a strong residential college feel, and a campus culture where teaching and mentoring undergrads are central rather than secondary. Professors are widely seen as accessible, and the university puts a lot of emphasis on faculty interaction both inside and outside class.

One important difference is institutional focus. Notre Dame is less dominated by graduate and professional programs than WashU, so undergraduates tend to sit closer to the center of the academic experience. That often translates into more direct faculty attention, a stronger sense that classes are designed with undergrads in mind, and fewer situations where the undergraduate classroom can feel overshadowed by the research enterprise.

Another differentiator is how the learning environment is structured. Notre Dame’s residential system and campus culture make it easier for academic life to spill beyond class, through dorm communities, faculty-in-residence programs, advising, and informal mentorship. For a student who cares about engaging teaching, that matters because good undergraduate education is not only about lectures being clear, but also about whether professors and peers are woven into daily life in a way that encourages conversation and follow-up.

WashU is still excellent in the classroom, especially in areas where its research strength is a major asset, and many students there have very strong relationships with professors. But if the question is specifically which school is better known for centering undergraduates in the teaching experience, Notre Dame comes out ahead.