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University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · 8.8k students

Highly SelectivePrivateSuburbGraduateCampus-basednd.edu
81.5/100

Trajecta score

+2.6 since '20

Ranked #26 of 2,375

5-year trend

'20'24

78.4 · #30

2020

77.9 · #52

2021

79.2 · #49

2022

80.3 · #43

2023

81.0 · #40

2024

AcademicCareersSuccessAfford.Invest.Access

Academic Profile

91/ 100

Career Outcomes

92/ 100

Student Success

97/ 100

Affordability

58/ 100

Academic Investment

97/ 100

Access & Equity

33/ 100

Academic Profile

91

Career Outcomes

92

Student Success

97

Affordability

58

Academic Investment

97

Access & Equity

33

AI Fit Analysis

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Cost / Net Price

$83k / $27k

SAT Avg

1,520

Retention

99%

Grad Rate

96%

Admissions

11%admission rate
EliteH.SelSelectiveModerateOpen

Test Scores

SAT Range1,520
4001000120014001600
25th: 1,455Average: 1,52075th: 1,560
ACT Range34
118243036
25th: 33Midpoint: 3475th: 35

Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.

Finances

Tuition

In-State Tuition

$65,025

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$65,025

per year

Aid & Debt

Pell Grant Share

14%

undergraduates receiving Pell

Federal Loan Share

25%

students borrowing

Median Debt

among completers

$19,000

Admissions Factors

What University of Notre Dame says it weighs

Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.

Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what University of Notre Dame reports weighing in admissions.

FactorVery ImportantImportantConsideredNot Considered
Rigor of secondary school recordRigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rankClass rank: Very Important
Academic GPAAcademic GPA: Very Important
Standardized test scoresStandardized test scores: Considered
Application essayApplication essay: Very Important
Recommendation(s)Recommendation(s): Very Important
InterviewInterview: Not Considered
Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities: Very Important
Talent/abilityTalent/ability: Very Important
Character/personal qualitiesCharacter/personal qualities: Very Important
First generationFirst generation: Important
Alumni/ae relationAlumni/ae relation: Considered
Geographical residenceGeographical residence: Considered
State residencyState residency: Considered
Religious affiliation/commitmentReligious affiliation/commitment: Important
Volunteer workVolunteer work: Very Important
Work experienceWork experience: Considered
Level of applicant's interestLevel of applicant's interest: Not Considered

Supplemental Essays · 2026-27

school's admissions site ↗

University of Notre Dame essay prompts

Short Essay

Required150 words

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.

Short Answer Option: Faith

RequiredChoose 350-100 words

How does faith influence the decisions you make?

Short Answer Option: Personal experiences and development

RequiredChoose 350-100 words

What is distinctive about your personal experiences and development (eg, family support, culture, disability, personal background, community, etc)? Why are these experiences important to you and how will you enrich the Notre Dame community?

Short Answer Option: Service

RequiredChoose 350-100 words

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?

Short Answer Option: Compliment

RequiredChoose 350-100 words

What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

Short Answer Option: Fight for

RequiredChoose 350-100 words

What would you fight for?

Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →

Methodology

How these rankings work

The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.

Read the full methodology

Selectivity tiers

EliteUnder 10% admit rate
Highly Selective10–20% admit rate
Selective20–40% admit rate
Moderate40–65% admit rate
Open65%+ admit rate

Score dimensions & weights

Career Outcomes25%

Median earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.

Academic Profile22%

Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.

Affordability15%

Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.

Student Success13%

Graduation rate and first-year retention.

Academic Investment12%

Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.

Access10%

Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.

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Colleges similar to University of Notre Dame

Neighbors in Indiana, plus the closest schools nationally by Trajecta Score.