University

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana, adjacent to South Bend. It was founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., and the Congregation of Holy Cross. The university's name derives from Notre Dame du Lac (Our Lady of the Lake), referencing the twin lakes on campus. It is organized into eight colleges and schools. As of the figures published on its About page, it enrolls approximately 8,923 undergraduate students and 4,206 graduate and professional students.

Institution type: Private, nonprofit
Campus setting: Suburban
Application platforms: Common App, Coalition App, Other
Testing policy: Test optional (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $65,025
Out-of-state tuition: $65,025
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,818

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2024–2025 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

11.3%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 8,880 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 8,866 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 14 students

First-year admission

Majors

Accounting and Related Services
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Engineering
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Architecture
Architecture and Related Services
Area Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biological and Physical Sciences
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Biology, General
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Business/Commerce, General
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Deadlines

Restrictive early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-04 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Restrictive early action · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Restrictive Early Action (REA) application deadline; decisions released mid-December. A student applying REA to Notre Dame may not apply to any college or university in a binding Early Decision I program.

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

3 responses

One 150-word essay plus two selected short answers of 50–100 words each.

2026–2027

Required · First-year applicants
Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your “non-negotiable” factor(s) when searching for your future college home.
Limit: 150 words — Required short essay.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Required · First-year applicants
Choose two: How does faith influence the decisions you make? OR What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (e.g., family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community? OR Notre Dame’s undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community? OR What would you fight for?

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $85
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Personal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Supplemental essays · Required

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official Notre Dame writing supplement requirements and prompts.
Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fee, waiver, and personal-essay fields; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports financial_aid_url
https://financialaid.nd.edu/

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

3,374 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

2,082 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

Not reported by institution

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): Not reported by institution
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): Not reported by institution
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 720 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 770 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 735 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 790 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 33 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 35 score

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 8:1

Source: University of Notre Dame Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Retrieved 2026-09-01

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: url:https://www3.nd.edu/~instres/CDS/2024-2025/CDS_2024-2025.pdf · Import: cds-2026-09-v43

Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Chemical Engineering

Engineering

Chemistry

Physical Sciences

Civil Engineering

Engineering

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer Engineering

Engineering

Design and Applied Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Economics

Social Sciences

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

Engineering

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Finance and Financial Management Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Health/Medical Preparatory Programs

Health Professions and Related Programs

International/Globalization Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Management Information Systems and Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Marketing

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics, Other

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Public Policy Analysis

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Sociology

Social Sciences

Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Education

Theological and Ministerial Studies

Theology and Religious Vocations

Financial aid · 2025–2026

2025-11-15 — Financial aid priority submission date for Restrictive Early Action applicants (CSS Profile, FAFSA, and IDOC). Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2026-01-15 (Financial aid priority submission date for Regular Decision applicants (CSS Profile, FAFSA, and IDOC).).

https://financialaid.nd.edu/apply-or-renew/first-year-applicants/

Regular decision · 2025–2026

2026-01-04 — Regular Decision application deadline; decisions released in late March.

https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/early-action-regular-decision/

Limit: 100 words — Choose two short-answer responses; each 50–100 words.

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Required · First-year applicants who select this short-answer option
How does faith influence the decisions you make?
Limit: 100 words — Short-answer option; applicants choose three of five options, 50-100 words each.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Required · First-year applicants who select this short-answer option
What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (e.g., family support, culture, disability, personal background, community)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?
Limit: 100 words — Short-answer option; applicants choose three of five options, 50-100 words each.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Required · First-year applicants who select this short-answer option
What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?
Limit: 100 words — Short-answer option; applicants choose three of five options, 50-100 words each.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Required · First-year applicants who select this short-answer option
What would you fight for?
Limit: 100 words — Short-answer option; applicants choose three of five options, 50-100 words each.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Required · First-year applicants who select this short-answer option
Notre Dame's undergraduate experience is characterized by a collective sense of care for every person. How do you foster service to others in your community?
Limit: 100 words — Short-answer option; applicants choose three of five options, 50-100 words each.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Required · All first-year applicants
Everyone has different priorities when considering their higher education options and building their college or university list. Tell us about your 'non-negotiable' factor(s) when searching for your future college home.
Limit: 150 words — Required short essay in the Notre Dame Writing Section; maximum 150 words.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/

One 150-word essay plus two selected short answers of 50–100 words each.

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: 85
A non-refundable application fee of $85.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Teacher evaluations · Required
Value: 1
A letter of evaluation from a high school teacher in a core academic subject area.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Counselor recommendation · Recommended
A second letter of evaluation, preferably from your school counselor; if a counselor is unavailable, an additional member of your school community may substitute.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Personal essay · Required
Personal essay submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Supplemental essays · Required
Notre Dame Writing Section: one (1) short essay question and three (3) short-answer responses selected from provided options.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Secondary school report · Required
Official high school transcripts or record of academic achievement in secondary school.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
Midyear report · Recommended
Restrictive Early Action applicants are encouraged to submit an optional summary or progress report of first-quarter or first-trimester performance.
https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/
CSS Profile · Required
CSS Profile required for financial aid applicants; CSS Profile School Code 1841.
https://financialaid.nd.edu/apply-or-renew/first-year-applicants/
FAFSA · Required
FAFSA required for financial aid applicants; FAFSA School Code 001840.
https://financialaid.nd.edu/apply-or-renew/first-year-applicants/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/early-action-regular-decision/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/application-overview/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://financialaid.nd.edu/apply-or-renew/first-year-applicants/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://financialaid.nd.edu/apply-or-renew/first-year-applicants/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://www.nd.edu/about/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://admissions.nd.edu/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?152080

Retrieved 2026-06-10