University of Notre Dame Acceptance Rate Results for Class of 2026

It was a record-breaking year for the University of Notre Dame. The number of applicants increased by 12% from last year, with 26,506 students submitting their applications to the prestigious university. They broke records again when only 12.9% of the applicants were accepted in the Class of 2026. 

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In total, Notre Dame admitted 3,412 students into their class of 2026, with 1,737 students admitted in the regular decisions round and 1,675 students admitted in the restrictive early action cycle (REA).

The incoming class comes from 2,198 high schools, including:

• 47% public schools
• 33% Catholic schools
• 19% non-Catholic private schools

The university admitted students from all 50 states and 95 countries, with 18.7% of those students either international students, US students living abroad, or students with dual citizenship.

More than 40% of admits are students of color:

• 15% Hispanic and Latino
• 14% Black
• 11% Asian and Pacific Islander
• 1% Native American

First-generation students made up 14% of admitted students. The school estimates that 20-22% of the admitted class will be Pell Grant recipients, first-generation, or from a family with an annual income below $65,000.

Notre Dame Acceptance Rate and Admission Stats for the Class of 2026

Notre Dame Regular Admissions Results for the Class of 2026

Only 3,412 students were accepted into the University of Notre Dame’s class of 2026, with nearly half coming from the early admission round and the other half from the regular admissions round. Following the downward trend in admissions rates, Notre Dame reported its lowest admissions rate. 

Notre Dame Early Admissions Results for the Class of 2026

Notre Dame reported their restrictive early action cycle results in December 2021. The university received a record number of applications for the Class of 2026, a 25% increase from last year’s pool. Of the 9,683 students who applied for early action, 1,675 were admitted to this prestigious university.

Due to the impact of the global pandemic, the university chose to continue its test-optional policy this year. Of the 9,683 early action applicants, 54% still submitted their test scores, and 46% decided to go test-optional. Thirty percent of the admitted students did not submit a test score.

 

The University of Notre Dame’s Class of 2026 early admits included:

• 11% First-generation students
• 12% International students or US citizens abroad or permanent residents
• 12% Asian/Pacific Islander students
• 10% Black students
• 17% Hispanic/Latino students
• 1% Native-American students
• Students from 4,220 high schools
• Applicants from 50 states and 116 different countries

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To increase your chances of getting into the University of Notre Dame, we recommend you apply early.**

Notre Dame Admissions Statistics over the Past Three Years

The University of Notre Dame has seen a staggering 25% increase in applicants over the last few years. Christy Pratt, Notre Dame’s director of undergraduate admissions, believes the increase was likely due to their test-optional policy and that the university was able to hold in-person tours and recruitment events.

“The fact that Notre Dame remained open for in-person instruction during the pandemic has been a great thing for our applicant pool, students and families,” she said. “We were able to start doing information sessions and tours in person beginning in late June of 2021 … that was greatly appreciated by students and families.”

The charts below show the overall acceptance and early decision acceptance statistics over the last three years.

How many students apply to Notre Dame each year?

On average, about 21,000 students apply to the University of Notre Dame each year. Ranked #19 by US News, the school’s acceptance rate ranges from about 16-19%, although it has been lower in recent years.

Think you have what it takes to get into a top university. Calculate your chances with our college admissions calculator.

Crimson Students Accepted into the University of Notre Dame

Crimson students are getting into the University of Notre Dame! We already have 7+ students reporting their acceptance, with many more on the way! Congratulations to all the Crimson students accepted into the Notre Dame Class of 2026!

How Crimson can Help You get into Notre Dame and other Top Universities

According to US News, the University of Notre Dame ranks #18 in the United States and is one of the top undergraduate teaching schools in the nation. Most college admissions experts agree that the number of students applying to top universities will continue to grow, especially if schools continue making standardized testing optional.

Crimson Education helps thousands of students gain admission to their dream schools. Despite enormous applicant pools and low acceptance rates at top universities, Crimson’s acceptance numbers are increasing! This year, more than 200 of our students were accepted to top universities in the US in the early round alone. Here is a breakdown of Crimson’s early-round numbers.

• 44+ early admits to the Ivy League with half of these students admitted into the most competitive: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia
• 6+ early admits to Stanford and MIT
• 56+ early admits to the US Top 10
• A combined 20+ early admits to Duke, UChicago, Northwestern, and Johns Hopkins
• 17 early admits to NYU
• More than 200 early admits to the US Top 50 universities

If the University of Notre Dame is your dream school, Crimson can help you get there! Our strategists include former Ivy League graduates who can help you put together a solid application that stands out from the crowd! Learn more about our Admissions Support program.