Notre Dame Admission Requirements

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Notre Dame, IN
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Notre Dame Admission Overview

Notre Dame admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Indiana. Last year Notre Dame admitted 11.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1455-1560 / ACT 33-35. Notre Dame is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Notre Dame is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/evaluation-criteria/

Notre Dame Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

11.3%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Notre Dame acceptance rate is 11.3%. Last year, only 3,374 of 29,942 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Indiana and the 36th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Notre Dame and can you get accepted?

Notre Dame is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 62% enrolled. That suggests Notre Dame is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Notre Dame GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.91*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.91*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Notre Dame has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.91 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.91 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Notre Dame is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.91 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Notre Dame Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Notre Dame is test-optional for first-year and transfer applicants through the 2026-27 school year; SAT and ACT scores are not required. Students who withhold scores still receive full consideration. Applicants may self-report SAT, ACT, AP, or predicted IB results. Admitted students who enroll must send official SAT or ACT scores, if taken, by the end of June. Notre Dame superscores both tests and does not require writing or ACT science.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/evaluation-criteria/

Notre Dame SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1455-1560

Freshmen who sent SAT

33%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 720
Math 735
Composite 1455

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 790
Composite 1560

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Notre Dame typically score around a 1510 SAT (middle 50% 1455–1560) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Notre Dame ranks #1 in the state of Indiana and #34 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1455 to 1560

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1455–1560 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Notre Dame is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1510 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Notre Dame
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1560+	Above 75th	>19%
1510 to 1560	Avg +	11%-19%
1455 to 1510	Avg -	6%-11%
Below 1455	Below mid-50	<6%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Notre Dame ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

33-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

26%

25th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 33

75th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Notre Dame typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Notre Dame places #1 among colleges in Indiana and #13 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Notre Dame without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Notre Dame
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>19%
34 to 35	Avg +	11%-19%
33 to 34	Avg -	6%-11%
Below 33	Below mid-50	<6%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

91% of University of Notre Dame freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Notre Dame students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	91%
Top 25% of class	97%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Notre Dame chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Notre Dame admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	15,020	14,922	29,942
Accepted	1,638	1,736	3,374
Acceptance Rate	11%	12%	11%
Enrolled	1,023	1,059	2,082
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	62%	61%	62%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Notre Dame and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Notre Dame application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Notre Dame is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Notre Dame
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Notre Dame is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 11.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1455-1560); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025