
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university in Indiana, north of the city of South Bend. Founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the university has grown to become one of America's leading undergraduate teaching institutions. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,968 students as of Fall 2023, with a nearly equal gender distribution of 51.2% male and 48.8% female students. The campus life at Notre Dame is vibrant, with a strong sense of community, and students are actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including over 500 student clubs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Private Catholic research university |
| Location | Notre Dame, Indiana, north of South Bend |
| Year founded | 1842 |
| Campus size | 1,265 acres |
| Total undergraduate enrollment | 8,953-8,968 (fall 2023) |
| Gender distribution | 51.2% male, 48.8% female |
| Housing | 79% of students live in college-owned housing, 21% live off-campus |
| Number of residence halls | 33 |
| Number of eateries | 28 |
| Number of student clubs | 500+ |
| Number of recreation venues | 5 |
| Acceptance rate | 13% |
| Popular majors | Finance, Economics, Political Science and Government |
| Graduation rate | 96% |
| Starting salary for alumni | $61,800 |
| Tuition and fees | $65,025 |
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What You'll Learn

Notre Dame's student body has grown from 500 to 8,953+
The University of Notre Dame, a private Catholic research university, has experienced significant growth in its student body since its founding in 1842. With a current undergraduate enrollment of around 8,953 students, the university has come a long way from its early days when enrollment stood at just 500 students.
The growth of Notre Dame's student body reflects the university's evolution and changing priorities over the years. During the presidency of William Corby, the university witnessed a notable increase in student numbers, surpassing 500. This period also saw the establishment of the law school and the construction of what is now the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Despite a setback in 1879 when a fire destroyed the Main Building and the library, the university swiftly rebuilt, demonstrating its resilience and commitment to growth.
By 1900, Notre Dame's enrollment had further increased to over 700 students. This era was marked by a shift towards becoming a research university, led by John W. Cavanaugh, who worked to enhance the academic reputation and expand the number of bachelor's and master's degrees awarded. The university also attracted eminent scholars, established a chair in journalism, and introduced chemical engineering courses.
The tenures of Charles L. O'Donnell and John Francis O'Hara (1928-1939) were pivotal for both material and academic expansion. They brought renowned figures to campus and focused on expanding the graduate school. This rapid expansion was fueled by football revenues, leading to the construction of numerous buildings, including Notre Dame Stadium, the law school building, and residential halls.
In more recent times, under the leadership of Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame has continued to flourish. The university has increased its endowment, enlarged its student body, and embarked on various construction projects, such as the Compton Family Ice Arena and additional residence halls. The university remains committed to fostering a sense of community and providing a well-rounded experience for its growing student population.
Today, Notre Dame's student body is characterized by its diversity, with students pursuing a range of academic and extracurricular interests. The university's strong academic reputation, coupled with its focus on research and scholarship, continues to attract scholars and students alike, contributing to the vibrant and dynamic community that defines the Notre Dame experience.
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79% of students live on campus
The University of Notre Dame is a private institution founded in 1842 and located in Indiana. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,968 students (as of Fall 2023), with a gender distribution of 51.2% male students and 48.8% female students. Notre Dame has a suburban setting and its campus size is 1,265 acres.
The University has always been heavily residential, with 79% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. This means that around four in five students live on campus, while the remaining one-fifth live off campus. In 1925, when enrollment was 2,500 students, 1,471 students lived on campus. In 1921, when enrollment exceeded 1,100, only 135 students paid for room and board.
The University's campus contains two lakes and several entertainment, general purpose, and common spaces. LaFortune Student Center, commonly known as "LaFortune" or "LaFun," is a four-story building that serves as a student union and hosts social, recreational, cultural, and educational activities. The Duncan Student Center is a second student union built onto the Notre Dame Stadium as part of the Campus Crossroads projects.
The University has a strong athletic tradition, and many athletic buildings are concentrated in the southern and eastern sections of the campus. Over four-fifths of students live in the same residence hall for three consecutive years, and about one-third live in the same residence hall for all four years. In 2018, a new policy was implemented requiring undergraduates to live on campus for three years.
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The student gender ratio is 51.2% male and 48.8% female
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana, north of the city of South Bend. It was founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a French missionary order. The University of Notre Dame has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,968 students as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 51.2% male students and 48.8% female students. This slight imbalance in the gender ratio is reflected in the student experience, with one student commenting on the "amount of brotherhood formed in a men's dorm".
The University has a strong residential focus, with about four in five undergraduates living on campus. All undergraduate students begin in one of 33 on-campus residence halls and have access to 28 campus eateries, over 500 student clubs, and 5 recreation venues. The campus is 1,265 acres and features collegiate Gothic architecture and outdoor park-like spaces with sculptures and scenic views. The student body is highly motivated, with many feeling inspired to make a positive contribution through their careers, rather than focusing solely on financial gain.
The University of Notre Dame has a long athletic tradition, with many athletic buildings concentrated in the southern and eastern sections of the campus. The university features several entertainment, general purpose, and common spaces, including the LaFortune Student Center, a four-story building that serves as a student union and hosts social, recreational, cultural, and educational activities. The university also has a new 750,000 sq ft Campus Crossroads project, which includes a student gym, a recreation centre, and a 500-seat student ballroom.
The University of Notre Dame has a rich history and has been at the forefront of research and scholarship. It has pioneered breakthroughs in various fields, including astrophysics, radiation chemistry, environmental sciences, and robotics. The University is ranked 12th in the country by College Consensus and is considered one of America's leading undergraduate teaching institutions.
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Notre Dame is a highly-ranked university
Located in Indiana, adjacent to South Bend, the University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university with a suburban setting and a campus size of 1,265 acres. It has a long and distinguished history of academic excellence and is currently ranked highly among America's best colleges. In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, Notre Dame ranks 18th among National Universities. Additionally, it is ranked 12th in the country by College Consensus, which averages rating scores from publications like Forbes, Money, and U.S. News & World Report.
Notre Dame has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 8,900-9,000 students, with a gender distribution that is almost evenly split between male and female students. The university is known for its rigorous academics and challenging curriculum, with popular majors including Finance, Economics, and Political Science and Government. Admissions to Notre Dame is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of only 13%.
The university has a strong research focus and has been at the forefront of significant breakthroughs and discoveries. It has attracted eminent scholars and researchers who have achieved breakthroughs in various fields, including astrophysics, radiation chemistry, environmental sciences, tropical disease transmission, peace studies, cancer research, robotics, and nanoelectronics.
Notre Dame offers its students a well-rounded and immersive experience, with a vibrant campus life and a strong sense of community. Students have access to numerous resources and opportunities, including over 500 student clubs, 28 campus eateries, and 5 recreation venues. The university's athletic programs and long-standing football tradition also contribute to the vibrant campus culture. The campus features beautiful collegiate Gothic architecture and outdoor park-like spaces, fostering a sense of community and providing a unique educational environment.
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The campus has a range of facilities and activities
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university in Indiana, US, founded in 1842. The campus has a range of facilities and activities for its students.
The university has a rich history and a beautiful campus, with the Main Building and its Golden Dome being the most recognisable landmark. The building serves as the headquarters for administration and still contains classrooms, with residence halls for the large number of undergraduates who live on campus. The campus also has a health centre, a library, and several religious buildings, including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a magnificent, Gothic-inspired place of worship. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is another important religious site on campus, which is a special place for quiet moments and outdoor Masses.
The university has a strong athletic tradition, with many athletic buildings concentrated in the southern and eastern sections of the campus. The Edmund P. Joyce Center has indoor basketball and volleyball courts, and the Compton Family Ice Arena is a two-rink facility dedicated to hockey. There are also many outdoor fields, such as the Frank Eck Stadium for baseball. The Campus Crossroads project, which began in 2014, includes three buildings that house student life services, an indoor gym, a recreation centre, and a 500-seat student ballroom.
There are also entertainment, general purpose, and common spaces on campus, such as the LaFortune Student Center, which serves as a student union and hosts social, recreational, cultural, and educational activities, as well as restaurants and student services. The Duncan Student Center, built onto the Notre Dame Stadium, offers additional food services, recreation facilities, and a student gym and ballroom.
The university also has sustainability initiatives, with the Office of Sustainability pursuing environmental goals related to the Catholic mission of the university. These include reducing the university's carbon footprint, implementing energy conservation strategies, and diversifying energy sources, with new sources of renewable energy on campus including geothermal wells and solar panels.
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Frequently asked questions
As of fall 2023, the University of Notre Dame has 8,968 undergraduate students enrolled.
About 79% of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing, which comes out to about four in five undergraduates.
The number of students enrolled at Notre Dame has increased over time. By 1900, student enrollment had increased to over 700, and in 1928, the number of students was high enough to fuel academic expansion. As of fall 2023, the enrollment number is 8,968.
The acceptance rate is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of 13%.











































