University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame is a private nonprofit university in Notre Dame, IN ranked #26 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of A+, enrolling about 8,923 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 12.4%. Students most often pursue Computer and Information Sciences and Finance and Financial Management Services.
Day to day, students benefit from a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, 98.2% first-year retention, and 96.8% six-year graduation. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $27,823, about $10,825 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -22.5%, roughly 107.8 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $86,210. That's about $42,522 higher than national results. It's well-suited to motivated learners who want a competitive yet collaborative community and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is University of Notre Dame Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
University of Notre Dame graduates 96.8% of students within six years and keeps 98.2% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use University of Notre Dame's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $62,693 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $17,378 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,950 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $80,211 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 12.5% of University of Notre Dame students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $8,873 to $46,879 depending on family income. Use University of Notre Dame's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $20,449/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $46,879/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $86,210
- 10-Year Median Earnings $86,210
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $19,000
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 93.3%
- Employment Rate 87.1%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for University of Notre Dame graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
University of Notre Dame vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how University of Notre Dame's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes University of Notre Dame's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While University of Notre Dame graduates earn $86,210 median, the -22.5% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 710-760
- SAT Math 730-780
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 33-35
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 8,923
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 98.2%
- Graduation Rate 96.8%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 9:1
How to Get Into University of Notre Dame
1. Meet Academic Requirements: University of Notre Dame requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 12.4%, University of Notre Dame is highly selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: University of Notre Dame's 12.4% acceptance rate makes it highly selective. Strong test scores, GPA, and a well-rounded application are essential. Early application can improve your chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1440 and 1540 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among University of Notre Dame undergraduates. Economics, Finance and Financial Management Services, and Political Science and Government draw the most students.
- Economics 8.4%
- Finance and Financial Management Services 8.1%
- Political Science and Government 6.3%
- Computer and Information Sciences, General 4.4%
- Mathematics and Statistics, Other 4.3%
- Mechanical Engineering 4.1%
See more majors
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences 3.7%
- Accounting and Related Services 3.5%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Computer and Information Sciences, General $149,206
- 2. Finance and Financial Management Services $138,141
- 3. Mathematics and Statistics, Other $130,029
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Management Information Systems and Services $129,875
- 5. Economics $120,257
- 6. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $114,810
- 7. Chemical Engineering $113,065
- 8. Accounting and Related Services $109,595
- 9. Mathematics $99,072
- 10. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $98,886
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degree) $184,920
- 2. Law (First Professional Degree) $153,320
- 3. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (First Professional Degree) $149,024
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Finance and Financial Management Services (First Professional Degree) $144,681
- 5. Engineering Science (Master's Degree) $107,007
- 6. Accounting and Related Services (First Professional Degree) $105,054
- 7. Biology, General (Doctoral Degree) $100,949
- 8. Business/Commerce, General (First Professional Degree) $98,676
- 9. Chemistry (Doctoral Degree) $84,652
- 10. Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degree) $78,187
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Computer and Information Sciences, General grads earn $149,206—51% more than Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($98,886). Graduate: Business Administration, Management and Operations programs lead with $184,920 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for University of Notre Dame. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree, 286 graduates)
- Economics (Bachelor's Degree, 243 graduates)
- Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree, 235 graduates)
- Law (First Professional Degree, 201 graduates)
- Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree, 181 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (55 programs)â–¼
- Economics
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Political Science and Government
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Mathematics and Statistics, Other
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Accounting and Related Services
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Psychology, General
- Chemical Engineering
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biology, General
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Marketing
- English Language and Literature, General
- Civil Engineering
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Mathematics
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- History
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Design and Applied Arts
- Management Information Systems and Services
- Business/Commerce, General
- Architecture
- Sociology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Philosophy
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Anthropology
- Area Studies
- International/Global Studies
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Music
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Computer Engineering
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
- Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Online Master's Degrees (50 programs)â–¼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Accounting and Related Services
- Engineering Science
- Business/Commerce, General
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- International/Global Studies
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
- Mathematics and Statistics, Other
- Economics
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Computer Engineering
- Architecture
- History
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Physics
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Sociology
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Mechanical Engineering
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Political Science and Government
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Chemistry
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Chemical Engineering
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Biology, General
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- English Language and Literature, General
- Design and Applied Arts
- Philosophy
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Psychology, General
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Music
- Historic Preservation and Conservation
- Engineering, General
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Applied Mathematics
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
- Marketing
Online Doctoral Degrees (32 programs)â–¼
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Physics
- Computer Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- History
- Chemistry
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Biology, General
- Political Science and Government
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Chemical Engineering
- English Language and Literature, General
- Philosophy
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Mathematics and Statistics, Other
- Sociology
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Economics
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
- Anthropology
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Psychology, General
- Materials Sciences
- Materials Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Online First Professional Degrees (1 program)â–¼
- Law
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 8,923
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 51.2%
- Female Students 48.8%
- Caucasian 61.4%
- Asian 5.9%
- Hispanic 13.6%
- Black 4.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients 12.5%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects University of Notre Dame's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of University of Notre Dame's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does University of Notre Dame support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at University of Notre Dame, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: About 12.5% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does University of Notre Dame support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at University of Notre Dame, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Ranking #26 nationally, University of Notre Dame combines competitive admissions with -22.5% ROI, positioning itself among America's stronger universities. The institution balances academic rigor with $86,210 in median post-graduation earnings.
Students complete degrees at 96.8% six-year rates, with 98.2% retention reflecting solid satisfaction. The $27,823 annual net price falls in the moderate range, though 387 institutions deliver comparable outcomes at lower costs.
Competitive Selective University: University of Notre Dame's Market Position
A+ grade | #26 of 6272 | 98.7/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total)
Competitive Positioning: University of Notre Dame occupies the competitive selective tier—not elite enough for automatic career advantages, but strong enough to provide quality education and reasonable outcomes. The -22.5% ROI reflects this middle ground: better than most, but not top-tier.
Value for Money: $27,823 annually produces $86,210 median earnings—a reasonable but not exceptional return. Students choosing University of Notre Dame should evaluate whether the institution's specific programs, location, or campus culture justify costs versus higher-ROI alternatives.
Who Succeeds Here: Self-directed students who maximize campus resources (research, internships, networking) achieve outcomes rivaling higher-ranked schools. Students seeking specific programs or geographic locations find strong value. Those needing extensive hand-holding may struggle in larger university environments.
Final Assessment: University of Notre Dame's #26 ranking and A+ grade reflect solid performance across metrics. With 387 schools offering better ROI, value-focused students should compare carefully. However, for students who fit the institution's culture and programs, outcomes justify investment.
Key Takeaways
- 96.8% six-year graduation rate sits 34.3 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 98.2% first-year retention is 21.4 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -22.5% return on investment is 107.8 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $86,210 run about 97% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $27,823 is roughly $10,705 higher than the national median of $17,118.
Helpfulness for Students
- 9:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 98.2% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 87.1% employment rate within three years sits 18.9 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $27,823 is about $10,705 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 12.5% trails the national share by 26.4 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates University of Notre Dame—a private nonprofit university in Notre Dame, IN—at A+ overall. It appears at #26 in EDsmart's national list Grades by category break down as Completion A+, Support A, Career Outcomes A+, and Affordability C.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
About 98.2% of first-year students return, and roughly 96.8% finish within six years. Return on investment currently measures -22.5% for this program.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $27,823 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $80,211.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $52,388 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $19,000 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 12.5% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $86,210 six years after entry. This is roughly 97% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
The three-year employment rate is close to 87.1%.
EDsmart lists the ROI at -22.5%, offering a quick read on value.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
12.4% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the University of Notre Dame admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Notre Dame, IN 46556
- Website www.nd.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
- Endowment$17.10B