University of Notre Dame: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Notre Dame, Indiana · Private nonprofit · Most selective · CDS 2025-2026
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University of Notre Dame is a private nonprofit university in Notre Dame, Indiana that admits about 9% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $26,780 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Economics and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 95% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Notre Dame is a private institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Notre Dame admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 9%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1500 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $26,780 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of Notre Dame right now
The University of Notre Dame admitted 3,320 students out of 35,401 applicants for the Class of 2029, an overall acceptance rate of 9.38%, with a record-low 13% Restrictive Early Action rate from a record 12,917 REA applications. Regular Decision admitted 1,651 of 22,484 applicants at 7.34%. About 92% of admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class. The biggest news for parents is the September 2024 launch of Pathways to Notre Dame, a historic financial aid expansion under which Notre Dame became the first selective faith-based university in the U.S. to be need-blind for all students, domestic and international, and eliminated loans from financial aid packages. Beginning in 2026 to 2027, Notre Dame will cover full tuition for undergraduates from families earning under $150,000, and the university already meets 100% of demonstrated need with an average aid package of $67,855 for first-year students with need. Distinctive features include seven undergraduate schools, with the incoming class spread across liberal arts and social sciences (26%), business at Mendoza (26%), science (24%), engineering (21%), and architecture (3%), the only Ivy-caliber Catholic institution in this group, and a residence life system based on lifelong dorm communities rather than Greek life. Robert A. Dowd became president on June 1, 2024. The Campus Crossroads project added 750,000 square feet of student services and academic space, and Notre Dame eliminated coal use in 2019, well ahead of its 2030 carbon target.
What GPA does my child need for University of Notre Dame?
Successful applicants to University of Notre Dame typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.
What does University of Notre Dame weight in admissions?
University of Notre Dame reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
- • Standardized test scores
- • First generation status
- • Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores University of Notre Dame typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 735–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 730. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1460 |
| 50th percentile | 1500 |
| 75th percentile | 1540 |
| % submitting SAT | % |
| 25th percentile | 33 |
| 50th percentile | 34 |
| 75th percentile | 35 |
| % submitting ACT | % |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does University of Notre Dame actually cost?
Published tuition is $65,025 for in-state students and $65,025 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,900 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $26,780 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 14% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | $18,992 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $26,780 |
| Application fee | $85 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Notre Dame
| Regular deadline | Jan 02 |
| Notification date | Apr 01 |
| Reply deadline | May 01 |
| Offers Early Action | Yes (Restrictive) |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Notre Dame?
These predict outcomes at University of Notre Dame better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Notre Dame
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Notre Dame, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Economics and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, University of Notre Dame confers roughly 1,291 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $138,141 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 260 | $138,141 |
| Economics | 245 | $120,257 |
| Political Science and Government | 177 | $81,595 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 140 | $149,206 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 132 | — |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | 119 | $130,029 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 116 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 102 | $95,893 |
Is University of Notre Dame safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Notre Dame disclosed 59 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Notre Dame?
About 81% of undergraduates at University of Notre Dame live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Indiana parents ask about
Next steps for University of Notre Dame
Common questions parents ask about University of Notre Dame
What GPA do I need for University of Notre Dame?
Successful applicants to University of Notre Dame typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Notre Dame typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 735–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 730. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35.
How much does University of Notre Dame actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Notre Dame after grants and scholarships is $26,780 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,025. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Notre Dame realistic for my child?
University of Notre Dame admits 9% of applicants, so 735–790 SAT Math is target range and below 735 is a reach. Then check the $26,780 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame accepts about 9% of applicants out of roughly 35,401 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is University of Notre Dame test-optional?
Yes. University of Notre Dame is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Notre Dame?
About 95% of students at University of Notre Dame graduate within six years. 98% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Notre Dame look for in applicants?
University of Notre Dame rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Notre Dame a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Notre Dame is a private nonprofit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana.
What are the most popular majors at University of Notre Dame?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Notre Dame by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Economics and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 1,291 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Notre Dame safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Notre Dame reported 59 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Notre Dame?
At University of Notre Dame, 81% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Notre Dame, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers