History
The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842 by a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, is an independent, national Roman Catholic university located at Notre Dame, Indiana, adjacent to the city of South Bend and approximately 90 miles east of Chicago. Since its beginnings, Notre Dame has established itself as one of the premier universities in the country.
Education
Notre Dame’s dynamic certificate programs benefit professionals at all levels – from team leaders focused on a specific project, to managers of work groups and departments, to executives who determine an organization’s strategic direction and culture. With each course you will acquire new skills you can begin applying immediately – and new credentials to enhance your resume.
Career
The University of Notre Dame’s 100% online certificate programs can help organizations prepare their workforces for today’s biggest challenges and tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities. Equipping your employees with Notre Dame professional certificates may contribute to increased sales growth, economic value, customer satisfaction and organizational effectiveness. 100% online programs give working professionals the tools and flexibility they need to pursue their education while balancing work and life responsibilities.
Housing services
The University of Notre Dame offers on-campus housing for over 900 graduate students and their families. Housing is available for single students, married students with no dependents, and married students with children.
Library services
Today, the Hesburgh Library remains a centerpiece of Notre Dame’s intellectual pursuits and an enduring symbol of the University’s commitment to academic excellence. Home to a broad range of services, resources, and spaces, and nearly 200 library faculty and staff, the Hesburgh Library continues to serve as the flagship building of the Hesburgh Libraries system.
Medical services
We’re passionate about providing you with prompt and exemplary medical care so you can focus on why you came to Notre Dame in the first place: to receive an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Campus life
Rooted in the Catholic tradition and inspired by the charism and spirituality of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Office of Campus Ministry is committed to cultivating the faith of all Notre Dame students. Through undergraduate, graduate, liturgical and music ministries, we foster personal spiritual growth, encourage participation in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church, support other forms of worship and personal prayer, provide opportunities for pilgrimages, retreats and service, and seek to enhance and develop lifelong faith formation.
Sports facilities
RecSports embodies a service-oriented environment that fosters positive social interaction through programs and services; we enhance the overall Notre Dame experience and provide recreational and educational opportunities for transformative lifestyles.
Student clubs
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Society facilitates discussion on ADR topics, promotes the study of ADR, and creates opportunities for students to network and gain practical experience. The primary goal is to empower students to make a difference in the modern practice of law, with a focus on ADR because of its growing importance in all forms of legal practice. Emphasis is placed on negotiation, arbitration, and mediation, but all types of ADR are considered.
Accreditation
The University of Notre Dame has received a full, 10-year regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
The Mendoza College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. (AACSB International is the primary accrediting association for American schools of business.)
University of Notre Dame Overview
University of Notre Dame Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 3.7% United States
Top 4.1% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
194
By Times Higher Education
Climbed 2 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | 196 | 194 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
294
By TopUniversities
Climbed 22 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 304 | 316 | 294 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
301
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 301 | 301 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
407
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 29 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 322 | 378 | 407 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
University of Notre Dame Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
South Bend City
#2 Branch Campus
United States Country
Chicago City
University of Notre Dame Student Reviews & Awards
4.5
Based on 23 reviews
- 5 Star 13 Reviews
- 4 Star 9 Reviews
- 3 Star 1 Review
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.6
- Student Diversity 4.7
- Quality of Student Life 4.0
- Career Development 4.4
Our lady's home
As an international student from Ethiopia, I jumped a huge leap in quality and culture of life in the United States. Notre Dame couldn't have been more welcoming and generous to me. I will be forever in debt. What stood out to me for Notre Dame is to help students thrive in any way possible. It is literally the mission of the university to make students the healthiest, happiest, and highly educated and skilled as possible. The university's unwavering trial to live in Catholic social values is also very fulfilling.
Notre Dame molds you to perfection
University of Notre Dame has been instrumental in my personal growth. It's not just the opportunities they offer, but also the supportive environment and culture that helped me find myself. The word "grit" perfectly describes this college, as they truly encourage students to persevere and strive for excellence. Notre Dame has taught me that success is a combination of hard work, skills, and a positive mindset. With its vast array of student organizations, I found a sense of belonging and connected with like-minded individuals.
Strong religious identity
The University of Notre Dame Australia offers a unique blend of academic rigor and a strong sense of community. From my first day on campus, I felt embraced by the supportive environment fostered by both faculty and fellow students. The small class sizes allow for personalized attention, and professors genuinely care about our success. One of the standout features of Notre Dame is its commitment to service learning; many courses incorporate community service, which has enriched my educational experience and allowed me to give back to the community. However, the university's strong Catholic identity may not resonate with everyone. Some students feel that the religious aspect can be a bit overwhelming, especially during events or discussions that emphasize faith. Additionally, while the campus is beautiful and well-maintained, the social scene can feel somewhat limited compared to larger universities. It often requires extra effort to find diverse social activities.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
-
Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
-
Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
-
Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
-
Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?