The University of Notre Dame continues to solidify its position as one of the most selective academic institutions in the country. Known for its strong Catholic mission, robust undergraduate programs, and exceptional student retention rates, the university attracts tens of thousands of applicants globally. With the recent rollout of the "Pathways to Notre Dame" financial aid program—which offers no-loan financial aid and significantly increased tuition coverage—competition for a spot under the Golden Dome has never been fiercer. Our analysis shows that the university's acceptance rate has steadily compressed over the past decade, culminating in record lows for the most recent admissions cycle.

Class of 2030 Admissions (Latest)

For the Class of 2030, the University of Notre Dame evaluated a record-breaking 36,102 total applications, representing a slight increase from the previous cycle. From this highly competitive applicant pool, the university admitted just 9% of students, holding steady at the record-low acceptance rate established last year.

The admissions cycle is divided into Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Regular Decision (RD). The REA round saw 13,711 applications, of which 1,617 students were offered admission, resulting in an REA acceptance rate of 12%. An additional 19% of REA applicants (2,608 students) were deferred to the Regular Decision pool for reconsideration in the spring.

While Notre Dame has invited a select group of students to the waitlist for the Class of 2030, our analysis of recent cycles indicates that navigating the waitlist successfully is exceedingly difficult.

Historical Acceptance Rate Trends

The overall acceptance rate at the University of Notre Dame has fallen by more than half since 2016, dropping from consistently double-digit percentages down to the current 9% mark. According to our historical Common Data Set (CDS) records, the Class of 2027 saw an acceptance rate of 12.9%, which fell to 12.38% for the Class of 2028, and ultimately compressed further into the single digits. This long-term trend is driven largely by a steady surge in application volume as the university has expanded its global reach and financial aid initiatives.

Waitlist activity has also grown increasingly competitive over time. For the Class of 2029, Notre Dame offered a spot on the waitlist to 2,206 students; of the 1,385 who accepted, only 42 were ultimately admitted, resulting in a waitlist admission rate of just 3%. The year prior for the Class of 2028, 90 students were admitted from a pool of 1,811 who opted into the waitlist (roughly 5%). These statistics indicate that while waitlist admission is possible, it fluctuates heavily based on yield rates and institutional enrollment needs each summer.

Conclusion

As application numbers climb and financial aid barriers are reduced, the University of Notre Dame's admissions process remains highly selective. Applicants should anticipate that a single-digit acceptance rate is likely to remain the new baseline for future cycles, reflecting the university's enduring appeal and growing competitiveness on the national stage.