What Is Notre Dame’s Acceptance Rate for the Class of 2030?
Notre Dame admitted 9% of 36,102 applicants for the Class of 2030 (entering fall 2026), holding steady at the record low set for the Class of 2029 (The Observer, March 2026). Applications increased by 701 year over year, setting a new institutional record. Notre Dame’s acceptance rate has been cut by more than half since 2016, when it stood at approximately 19%. For how Notre Dame compares to other top schools, see our Top 25 admissions statistics comparison.
| Class | Applications | Admitted (est.) | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2030 | 36,102 | ~3,249 | 9% |
| Class of 2029 | 35,401 | 3,186 | 9.38% |
| Class of 2028 | 29,942 | 3,374 | 11.27% |
| Class of 2027 | ~26,500 | ~3,300 | ~12.5% |
| Class of 2024 | ~21,000 | ~3,990 | 19% |
Source: Notre Dame Admissions, The Observer, Notre Dame CDS, 2020-2026.
What Is Notre Dame’s Restrictive Early Action Acceptance Rate?
For the Class of 2030, Notre Dame received a record 13,711 REA applications (up 6% from 12,917) and admitted 1,617 students, producing an REA acceptance rate of approximately 12% (Notre Dame Admissions, December 2025). An additional 2,608 applicants (19%) were deferred for Regular Decision consideration. Notre Dame’s REA program is non-binding but restrictive: applicants cannot apply early to any other private university. For early round strategy, see our Early Decision vs Regular Decision guide.
| Class | REA Rate | RD Rate (est.) | Overall Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2030 | ~12% | ~7.3% | 9% |
| Class of 2029 | 12.92% | ~7.3% | 9.38% |
| Class of 2028 | 14.6% | ~9.5% | 11.27% |
Source: Notre Dame Admissions, Notre Dame CDS, 2022-2026. RD estimates derived from overall minus REA data.
How Does the Pathways Program Change Notre Dame Admissions?
Starting with the Class of 2030, families earning up to $150,000 pay zero tuition through the Pathways to Notre Dame program. Families earning up to $200,000 receive at least half tuition coverage. Most families under $60,000 receive full coverage for tuition, fees, housing, and food (Notre Dame Admissions, March 2026). Notre Dame also maintains need-blind admissions and no-loan financial aid offers. This mirrors similar initiatives at Johns Hopkins (free under $200K) and Tufts (free under $150K). Expect application volumes to surge for the Class of 2031. For financial aid strategy, see our financial aid guide.
What Does Notre Dame Look for in Applicants?
Notre Dame’s Catholic mission is central to admissions. The university seeks students who demonstrate “leadership, enthusiasm for Notre Dame’s Catholic mission, and commitment to serving others” (Notre Dame Admissions, March 2026). Academic preparation, character, and community engagement are weighted heavily. Notre Dame is test-optional through at least the 2026-2027 cycle. For essay strategy, see our Common App essay guide.
How Does Notre Dame Compare to Peer Schools?
Notre Dame’s 9% acceptance rate is now lower than Boston College (12.7%), Georgetown (13%), and Tufts (10%). See our Ivy League acceptance rates for the full comparison.
| School | Class of 2030 Rate | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins | ~5% | ~50,000 |
| Duke | ~5% | ~55,000 |
| Northwestern | ~7% | ~53,000 |
| Notre Dame | 9% | 36,102 |
| Tufts | 10% | 36,000 |
| Georgetown | 13% | ~26,900 |
Source: Institutional announcements, CDS data, 2024-2026.
What Are Your Chances on the Notre Dame Waitlist?
Notre Dame’s waitlist acceptance rate has averaged 13.19% over the past 25 years of available data, but varies wildly from 0% to 48% depending on yield. For the Class of 2029, only 54 students were admitted from 1,475 who accepted their waitlist spot, a 2.47% rate (Notre Dame CDS, 2024-2025). If you have been waitlisted, write a strong Letter of Continued Interest. For waitlist data at all top schools, see our waitlist rates comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, Indiana, just north of South Bend in the northern part of the state, roughly an hour and a half east of Chicago. Its campus is famous for landmarks like the Golden Dome, the Basilica, and two lakes, set on attractive grounds. The location offers a self-contained, spirited campus community in a smaller Midwestern setting, with Chicago accessible for internships and travel.
Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university known for strong undergraduate education, the Mendoza College of Business, engineering, the liberal arts, and a famously devoted alumni network, along with storied football tradition and deep school spirit. Among top universities it stands out for combining academic rigor with a close-knit, values-driven community and one of the most loyal and well-connected alumni bases in American higher education.
No; Notre Dame is not part of the Ivy League, a specific Northeastern athletic conference. It is a private Catholic research university that is highly selective and widely respected, often grouped with elite national universities for prestige and outcomes, but it holds no Ivy membership. Families should evaluate Notre Dame on its distinctive strengths, including its undergraduate focus, alumni network, and faith-based community, rather than on Ivy status.
Yes; Notre Dame superscores, considering an applicant’s highest section results across multiple test dates to form the best composite, which rewards strategic retakes. The university accepts both the SAT and ACT and has adjusted testing requirements in recent cycles, so applicants should confirm the current policy on its admissions site. Where scores are submitted, the superscoring practice benefits applicants who take a test more than once.
Yes; unlike the Ivy League, which awards need-based aid only, Notre Dame offers competitive merit-based scholarships alongside generous need-based financial aid that meets full demonstrated need. Merit awards are highly selective, and most admitted students receiving aid get need-based support. The availability of some merit scholarships distinguishes Notre Dame from need-based-only peers, so high-achieving applicants should research the specific programs and any separate requirements or deadlines.
Notre Dame enrolls roughly 8,800 undergraduates and around 13,000 students total including graduate and professional programs. The undergraduate body is mid-sized, larger than a small college but smaller than major public flagships, supporting program breadth alongside a strong undergraduate focus and a tight residential community. Students who want a sizable but close-knit campus with abundant resources and strong school spirit often find Notre Dame’s scale appealing.
Notre Dame’s Catholic character shapes campus life through residence hall chapels, dorm Masses, service opportunities, and a theology and philosophy requirement, alongside a strong tradition of community and values. Students of all faiths and none attend and are welcomed, and participation in religious activities is not required. The faith-rooted culture influences traditions, dorm life, and ethos, so applicants should consider whether this environment fits their preferences regardless of their own beliefs.
Notre Dame’s testing policy has shifted in recent admissions cycles, as at many selective universities, between test-optional and requiring scores, so applicants must confirm the current requirement on its admissions site. Where scores are submitted, strong results can help and the university superscores. Because policies have been in flux, Notre Dame applicants should verify the rule for their specific cycle and decide whether submitting scores strengthens their particular application.
Sources: Notre Dame Office of Undergraduate Admissions, NCES College Navigator, IPEDS, NACAC, College Board BigFuture.
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