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Academics

Advancing knowledge. Serving the common good.

A Notre Dame education isn’t just about what you learn—it’s about who you become, and how you contribute.

Whether pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees, Notre Dame students are called to use their knowledge and talents not only to succeed, but to serve—and are united by that lifelong sense of purpose.

This calling is shaped by the Catholic intellectual tradition, guided by mentorship from outstanding scholar-teachers, and strengthened through a rigorous, purpose-driven education that calls forth the very best in every student.

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Excellence at every turn

Academic excellence at Notre Dame isn’t a goal. It’s a given.

  • 8:1 student to faculty ratio
  • 82% of pre-med students admitted to medical school (twice the national average)
  • 91% of classes have fewer than 50 students
  • 21 Rhodes Scholars
  • 33% of undergraduates involved in research
  • 99% of students return for their second year (among the nation’s highest rates)
  • 95% of students graduate on time (among the nation’s highest rates)
  • 92% placement rate within six months for graduates in careers, graduate school, or service
  • 89% of students complete internships or conduct research before graduation
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Endless curiosity. Infinite potential.

With over 70 undergraduate degree programs and a wide range of renowned graduate and professional programs, Notre Dame provides students with countless ways to explore their interests, grow in knowledge, and become leaders in their chosen fields.

Explore all programs

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Eight colleges and schools. One shared mission.

Our colleges and schools span disciplines and perspectives, but share a unifying purpose: to do superb research and to educate students of intellect, integrity, and compassion.

Explore Colleges and Schools

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Where collaboration drives discovery.

Centers and institutes at Notre Dame are where ideas ignite. These vibrant spaces support interdisciplinary research and deepen learning for faculty, students, and visiting scholars, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge is never confined to a single classroom or field.

Explore Institutes and Centers

Portrait of Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. An older white man with a black suit coat and priest collar.

No university is better positioned to develop students who approach the world with openness, with curiosity, with compassion, and with moral courage.

Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.

President

Scholars and mentors

Notre Dame students are guided by faculty thought leaders and global researchers with deep expertise and passion for teaching. They challenge students to grow, help them to discover their academic path, and then walk with them as they prepare to impact the world.

  • 91% of full-time faculty hold terminal degrees and doctorates
  • 27 elected members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • #1 in the U.S. for number of faculty awarded National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships since 1999
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More Academics at Notre Dame

Learn more about the people and processes that empower inquiry and discovery under the Dome.