Admission & test scores

University of Notre Dame SAT scores and acceptance rate

Admitted students scored 1455–1560 on the SAT, with an ACT midpoint of 34. University of Notre Dame admits 11% of applicants — highly selective. 99% of first-year students return for a second year.

SAT range1455–1560middle half of admits
ACT midpoint34admitted students
Acceptance rate11%highly selective
First-year retention99%return for year two

Reading the score band These are the scores admitted students had — not a cut-off.

25th percentile
1455
Average
1520
75th percentile
1560

A quarter of admitted students scored below 1455 and a quarter above 1560. Being under the lower figure does not rule you out — it means the rest of the application has to carry more weight — and being above the upper one does not secure a place at a selective university. This intake sits inside a student body of about 8,818.

Universities with similar scores Useful for building a realistic application list.

UniversityAvg SATACTAcceptanceIn-state tuition
Bowdoin College Brunswick, Maine 1520 — 7% $67,832
New York University New York, New York 1520 34 9% $62,796
Barnard College New York, New York 1520 33 9% $69,888
Wellesley College Wellesley, Massachusetts 1520 33 14% $67,176
Emory University Atlanta, Georgia 1520 33 11% $64,280
Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota 1517 33 20% $68,892

Getting in is the first question, not the last

Admission data says nothing about what the degree costs or returns. Before accepting an offer, read the net price for your family's income and the earnings of previous graduates — a place at a selective university financed with heavy borrowing can be a worse outcome than a place at a less selective one that costs little.

University of Notre Dame admission: common questions

What SAT score do you need for University of Notre Dame?
The middle half of admitted students scored between 1455 and 1560 on the SAT, with an average of 1520. A score inside that band is competitive; below it you would be relying on the rest of the application.
What ACT score does University of Notre Dame require?
The ACT midpoint of admitted students is 34.
How hard is it to get into University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame admits 11% of applicants, which is highly selective. Of those who enrol, 99% return for a second year.
Does University of Notre Dame require SAT or ACT scores?
This page reports what admitted students scored, not what the university requires. Many US universities went test-optional and have not returned to a requirement — always check the admissions page before deciding to skip a test.
What it costs Student loan record Debt vs graduate salary Highest SAT universities Highest acceptance rates SAT & ACT preparation

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, acceptance rate and first-year retention as most recently published. Scores describe past intakes and are not an entry requirement.