2013 College Cost BCS: University of Notre Dame vs. University of Alabama

The College Cost BCS, in its second year, aims to bring attention to college affordability through football’s coveted college bowl games. What if these teams didn’t play ball and instead, faced off on how well they keep education affordable? Admittedly, the teams here are not a representative sample of higher education in America (nor are they the best in college sports, ahem). They do, however, characterize a wide swath of geographic areas and student populations. So let’s have fun, and play ball!

National Championship

Alabama lost last year’s College Cost BCS with too-high marks in almost every category. Did they work to improve in 2012? Or will this year be a repeat of last year’s performance?

1st quarter: Student loan default rates

Notre Dame storms the field and hits the end zone in its first drive, thanks to a 1 percent loan default rate. Alabama still looks strong, but can’t get in the red zone because of its 5.6 percent default rate. The Crimson Tide settles for a field goal.

Notre Dame 7 – Alabama 3

2nd quarter: Tuition increases

Alabama fumbles with its 8.9 percent tuition increase, and Notre Dame picks it up. They don’t make it down field (3.8 percent), but the field goal sails through. The Fighting Irish end the half a touchdown ahead of Alabama.

Notre Dame 10 – Alabama 3

3rd quarter: Net price

What happened during halftime? Notre Dame can’t run the ball, and ‘Bama’s quarterback can’t connect with his receivers. Perhaps a more reasonable net price would have netted the teams some points. But with Notre Dame’s $24,632 and Alabama’s $16,255, coaches throw their clipboards and students drop their heads. A scoreless quarter for both teams.

Notre Dame 10 – Alabama 3

4th quarter: Debt-to-credential ratio

Notre Dame needs to hold the Crimson Tide to win this. Can they? A debt-to-credential ratio of $13,542 makes some fans grimace, but fortunately for them, Alabama’s is worse: $18,816. The Fighting Irish—and their diehard fans—pour onto the field in celebration.

Final score: Notre Dame 17 – Alabama 3

Methodology

1st quarter: Student loan default rate

• Field goal: Lower than the averages, (7.9 percent for public, four-year schools and 7.3 percent for private, four-years).
• Touchdown: Lower than average national bank card default rate, 3.58 percent.

2nd quarter: Tuition increase

• Field goal: Lower than the averages, (8.3 percent for public, four-year institutions and 4.5 percent for private, four-years.)
• Touchdown: Lower than the rate of inflation, 1.8 percent.

3rd quarter: Net price

• Field goal: Lower than the average, ($10,080 for public, four-year universities and $21,020 for private, four-years.)
• Touchdown: Lower than the first-year Stafford loan limit of $5,500.

4th quarter: Debt-to-credential ratio

• A touchdown goes to the team with the lowest ratio.

Thanks for tuning in this year! If you missed the Rose, Orange, Sugar, or Fiesta bowls, be sure to see how those teams fared. And complete details on our methodology can be found here.

Photo credit: BCSfootball.org