Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Notre Dame, Indiana
12.4% Acceptance Rate
University of Notre Dame — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
12.4%Acceptance Rate
3.91Avg GPA
1510Avg SAT
34Avg ACT
$80,211Annual Cost
$99,980Grad Salary
12.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
12.4%
Avg GPA
3.91
Avg SAT
1510
Avg ACT
34
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1440–1540
ACT Middle 50%
33–35
Need-Based Aid
12.5% receive Pell
The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842, is a prestigious Catholic research university in Indiana. Known for its football tradition and Golden Dome, Notre Dame excels in business, engineering, and theology. The university's Mendoza College of Business and Law School are highly ranked. Notre Dame's research spans from nuclear physics to ethics at the de Nicola Center.
The campus features iconic landmarks like the Basilica and Touchdown Jesus. Alumni include CEOs, senators, and NFL players. Notre Dame's emphasis on faith, service, and scholarship shapes its community. Its blend of academic excellence and spirited tradition defines the Notre Dame experience.
University of Notre Dame Acceptance Rate
University of Notre Dame is one of the leading universities in the USA. It is extremely competitive to gain admission to. The acceptance rate of University of Notre Dame is 12.4%. This means that only 12 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Elite Standards: Admitted students typically rank in the top 2–5% of their high school class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors courses are essential to validate academic readiness.
- Character & Impact: Beyond grades, leadership, research, and unique 'spikes' in extracurriculars drive decisions.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 12.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this level of selectivity, meeting average GPA and test scores is considered the 'baseline.' Because Notre Dame values intellectual curiosity, your supplemental essays and personal recommendations are critical in distinguishing your application from thousands of other high-achieving candidates.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.91 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.71 – 3.90
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.46
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Notre Dame GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Notre Dame is 3.91. This indicates extreme selectivity in admissions.
To have strong chances, you must aim for straight A's in all courses.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 4.11-4.31 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.61 and 3.91, then you need a high SAT or ACT score to compensate.
Notre Dame GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Extreme selectivity; requires elite academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: High Course Rigor (AP/IB/Honors) to validate the grade.
Admissions at Notre Dame utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.91, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.91 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.71 – 3.90
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.51 – 3.70
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.50
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Overall acceptance rate: approximately 9% (Class of 2029: 3,186 admitted from 35,401 applications); REA rate for Class of 2030: approximately 12% (1,617 admitted from 13,711 REA applicants); Regular Decision rate approximately 6?7%.
- Supplemental essays: one short essay (150 words max) on "non-negotiable" college factors; three short answers chosen from five prompts (50?100 words each); the Common App personal statement, teacher recommendation, and counselor evaluation are all required.
- Pathways to Notre Dame (announced 2024): Notre Dame became need-blind for all students including international applicants and eliminated loans from all financial aid packages - a structural shift that changes the financial calculus for middle- and lower-income families significantly compared to peer Ivies.
- Notre Dame operates a distinctive residential hall system in which students are assigned to one of ~30 single-sex dorms that function as primary communities; dorm identity persists for all four years and shapes social, intramural, and service life - a structural feature that distinguishes Notre Dame's undergraduate experience from most peer schools and is worth engaging with specifically in essays.
- The Rigor Metric: At Notre Dame, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Notre Dame
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Notre Dame's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Notre Dame Without SAT or ACT?
University of Notre Dame considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
University of Notre Dame Average SAT Score: 1510
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Notre Dame is 1510 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1510 — Extremely Competitive
This score makes it Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do extremely well to score 1510 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1540 SAT or 35 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Notre Dame allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1440, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Notre Dame. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 755 | 730 | 780 |
| SAT Reading | 735 | 710 | 760 |
| SAT Composite | 1510 | 1440 | 1540 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1440 then you are below most of the admitted students at Notre Dame and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1540 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1500
Can I get into University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) with a 1550 SAT?
With a 1550 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) are good but the admission staff at Notre Dame tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Notre Dame is 34.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 34 — Extremely Competitive
This score makes University of Notre Dame Extremely Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do extremely well to score 34 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 34 | 32 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 33 | 35 |
Can I get into University of Notre Dame with a 35 ACT?
A 35 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Notre Dame — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Notre Dame use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Notre Dame — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Notre Dame uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 35 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Notre Dame
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
To be successful at a world-class institution like Notre Dame, you must move beyond being 'well-rounded' and demonstrate that you are institutionally necessary.
Navigate the REA Policy Correctly - It Is Not What Most Students Assume
Notre Dame's Restrictive Early Action is non-binding - you may wait until May 1 to commit - but its restrictions are stricter than most Early Action programs. REA prohibits applying to any other school's binding Early Decision I program simultaneously. You may, however, apply Early Action to public universities and to ED2 programs (whose deadlines fall after Notre Dame's December notification). The REA acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 was approximately 12% (1,617 admitted from 13,711), versus roughly 6?7% Regular Decision. Notre Dame explicitly states REA is not automatically the right choice - students whose first-semester senior grades would strengthen their application should wait for RD rather than rushing an early file.
Write the "Non-Negotiable" Essay as an Indirect Why Notre Dame - With Discipline
The core 150-word supplement asks students to name their non-negotiable factor(s) in choosing a college home. Notre Dame's admissions office is clear that this is not a direct "why us" prompt and students need not mention Notre Dame explicitly. The trap is writing a generic answer about "research opportunities" or "strong academics." The essays that distinguish applicants name a genuinely specific, personal non-negotiable - faith integration in academics, a residential hall community model, proximity to a particular field of service - that organically points to Notre Dame without needing to say so. Every word must carry weight at 150 words; opening sentences that don't immediately name the factor are wasted.
Choose Your Three Short-Answer Prompts Strategically, Not Emotionally
From five options (50?100 words each), students select three: How does faith influence your decisions? What is distinctive about your personal experiences and how will you enrich Notre Dame? How do you foster service? What compliment are you most proud of and why? Tell us something that would surprise us about you. Notre Dame explicitly states no prompt is preferred over another, and non-Catholic students should know the faith prompt carries no penalty if skipped. The strategic question is which three prompts, taken together, reveal different dimensions of the applicant's character - not which three feel easiest to write. A student who uses all three to discuss academic achievement is wasting the format.
Submit Test Scores If They Are Competitive - the Policy Will Change
Notre Dame is test-optional through at least 2026?27 (extended through the Class of 2030 cycle). However, among the Class of 2029 enrolled students, roughly 60% submitted scores; the mid-50% range for submitters was SAT 1470?1540 / ACT 33?35. Notre Dame also announced Pathways to Notre Dame in 2024, becoming the first selective faith-based U.S. university to be need-blind for all students (domestic and international) with no loans in financial aid packages - a significant financial aid change that should factor into whether families run the Net Price Calculator before committing to REA, given the non-binding nature still limits some comparison options until May 1.
Expert Insight:
The most consequential REA mistake is filing an incomplete or underprepared application simply because November 1 exists. Notre Dame rates nine factors as "very important" - rigor, class rank, GPA, recommendations, extracurriculars, talent/ability, character, volunteer experience, and essays - making it one of the most holistic reviewers in the country. A student who rushes REA with a thin extracurricular section or no outstanding first-semester senior grades has applied at their weakest moment without the buffer of updated materials. Notre Dame encourages REA applicants to submit an optional first-quarter progress report via the applicant portal specifically because senior year performance matters; students who don't take advantage of that optional update are leaving additional context off the table.
Notre Dame Profile
Full Name
University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame)
City
Notre Dame
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46556
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Notre Dame Degree Worth It?
Getting into Notre Dame can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Notre Dame offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Notre Dame is $76,700 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.92%.
How much does a degree from Notre Dame Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Notre Dame is $80,211. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Notre Dame is much less than this.
12.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 25.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Notre Dame and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Notre Dame, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Notre Dame as your choice in the form.
How much does a Notre Dame Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $99,980. An average Notre Dame graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Notre Dame. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 1500 | 33 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Amherst College | Amherst, MA | 1494 | 33 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Notre Dame. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 1507 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Notre Dame. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1554 | 35 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 1553 | 35 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 1553 | 35 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 1553 | 35 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 1547 | 35 |
Degree Programs at Notre Dame
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Notre Dame →
Frequently Asked Questions About Notre Dame Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a high salary, $99,980 annually, depending on the industry.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $80,211 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
12.5% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of University of Notre Dame is 12.4% which is low, typically between 10% and 20%. Admission is very competitive, and a strong academic profile is necessary.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.91. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.61, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.61, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.51 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.91, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to University of Notre Dame is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1510 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1440–1540.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.