What are the demographics of Notre Dame?

The University of Notre Dame's student body is predominantly White (around 60-66%), with significant Hispanic/Latino (12-14%) and Asian (5%) populations, alongside Black/African American (4-5%), Multiracial (6%), and smaller percentages of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, with a slight male majority (51% Male, 49% Female) and about 7% international students. Demographics vary slightly by source and year but show a generally affluent, academically driven, and religiously affiliated (mostly Catholic) student body, with most students in traditional college age groups (18-21).

What is the racial makeup of Notre Dame?

The composition of the college in the 2018–2019 academic year was 65.6% male, 34.4% female, 12 (2.7%) African American, 36 (8.1%) Latino, 26 (5.8%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Native, 11 (2.5%) two or more races, 22 (4.9%) nonresident alien, and 332 (74.6%) white.

Is it harder to get into Duke or Notre Dame?

Duke is generally harder to get into than Notre Dame based on lower acceptance rates and slightly higher academic metrics, with Duke's recent overall acceptance rate around 5-6% compared to Notre Dame's ~11-20% (rates vary by year), but both are extremely selective, requiring top grades, rigorous coursework, strong extracurriculars, and compelling essays, with Duke often considered the more academically challenging admit. 

Where do most Notre Dame students come from?

The majority of the Notre Dame students who live in the U.S. are from Illinois. Student location diversity is higher than average.

What GPA do you need to get into Notre Dame?

The University of Notre Dame doesn't have a strict minimum GPA but seeks academically strong students, with admitted freshmen typically having GPAs around 4.07 or higher (weighted/unweighted average around 3.77-4.13), and competitive transfer applicants often needing 3.75+; admissions focus on rigorous courses and excellent grades in those, along with strong extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations. Graduate programs generally require a 3.0+ undergraduate GPA.
 

Notre Dame: The Pros, the cons, and how to get in.

Is Notre Dame harder to get into than Harvard?

It is significantly harder to get into Harvard University than the University of Notre Dame, with Harvard's acceptance rate often below 4% compared to Notre Dame's, which has recently hovered around 9-11%. Harvard is consistently ranked among the most selective schools globally, requiring exceptional academic and extracurricular profiles, though Notre Dame is also extremely competitive and considered a top-tier university. 

Do you have to pay to get into Notre Dame?

Notre-Dame Cathedral is open to all, freely and without charge. To reduce your waiting time at the entrance, you can, however, book a free access online a few hours before your visit. This option is entirely optional and aims solely to streamline entries and minimize unnecessary waiting.

Is Notre Dame as good as an Ivy League?

No, Notre Dame isn't an Ivy League school (those are eight specific universities), but it's consistently ranked among the nation's top universities (often near or above some Ivies in national rankings) with similar academic quality, selectivity, and strong programs, functioning as a "New Ivy" or elite institution in its own right, especially strong in business, law, and its Catholic mission. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

What is the average salary of a Notre Dame graduate?

Those graduating with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Notre Dame have a median salary of $82,000. The average starting compensation* for ESTEEM graduates from the classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 was $103,399.

Is it harder to get into Georgetown or Notre Dame?

If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Georgetown University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Where is the easiest law school to get into?

The "easiest" law schools to get into generally have higher acceptance rates and lower median LSAT/GPA scores, with schools like University of North Dakota, Southern Illinois University, Touro University, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School often appearing on lists for accessibility, though admission is relative and depends on your scores. Focus on schools with acceptance rates over 60-70% and median scores below 154 LSAT and 3.5 GPA if you're looking for easier entry, but always check your specific stats against school profiles. 

What type of student does Notre Dame look for?

Instead, we look for students who challenge themselves within the context of their high school by taking rigorous courses—such as AP, IB, dual enrollment, honors, or other advanced classes offered by your high school—and who earn strong grades. There is no single right curriculum.

Does Notre Dame accept Jews?

The student population at Notre Dame has always consisted of religions and denominations other than Catholic, including Jewish.

What is the crime rate at Notre Dame?

The University of Notre Dame's crime rate varies by year but generally shows fluctuations, with figures like 11.77 offenses per 1,000 students reported in 2023 for criminal offenses and higher overall safety incidents (52.76/1000), driven by disciplinary actions and property crimes, while recent trends show spikes in motor vehicle theft but relatively low rates for violent offenses like rape, with official reports available via the Notre Dame Police Department. 

Is there a lot of partying in Notre Dame?

At Notre Dame, students "study a lot, but on the weekends, everyone seems to make up for the lack of partying during the week." With over 500 student clubs and organizations, there's something for everyone.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

Is Duke or Vanderbilt harder to get into?

While both are extremely selective, Duke University is generally considered slightly harder to get into than Vanderbilt University, based on their recent acceptance rates, with Duke often hovering around 5-7% and Vanderbilt around 6-10%, though both fluctuate annually and admissions are highly competitive for both. Duke emphasizes strong leadership and research, while Vanderbilt also values academics and extracurriculars, but acceptance rates alone don't tell the whole story, as both look for specific student profiles. 

What are the downsides of Notre Dame?

#1: Lack of Diversity — Relative to other top universities, Notre Dame has less diversity: 60% of students are white, compared to about 30-35% at other leading private universities like the Ivies. In addition, 80% of students are Catholic, which some students say leads to a lack of “diversity of thought.”

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

How much does it cost to attend Notre Dame?

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of Notre Dame's estimated total direct cost (tuition, fees, room, and board) is around $86,000, with tuition and mandatory fees at approximately $67,600, plus living expenses and other costs. After financial aid, the average net price for a student receiving aid drops significantly, with figures suggesting around $30,000-$40,000 average cost after scholarships and grants. 

How much money did Salma Hayek's husband donate to Notre Dame?

Salma Hayek attends Notre-Dame reopening with French billionaire husband, who donated over $113 million to restore it.

Can you take drinks into Notre Dame?

Are food or beverages allowed inside Notre Dame Cathedral? Food and beverages are not permitted inside the cathedral.

Does Notre Dame still smell like smoke?

Yes, visitors and reports confirm that a lingering smell of smoke and carbon remains inside the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, serving as a powerful, sensory reminder of the 2019 fire, though deep cleaning has brightened the stone and the space is also filled with incense during services. While some find the scent poignant and part of the experience, it mixes with other odors like incense, and the restoration efforts have brought back the stone's original brightness, changing the overall ambiance.