Ethan Walker
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, with a strong Catholic student body. In 2019, 81% of incoming freshmen identified as Catholic, compared to 38% at DePaul, another Catholic university. In 2024, 82% of incoming first-year students were Catholic. While the influence of Catholicism varies across departments, the university has been accused of pushing towards becoming more Catholic. However, it does not force its beliefs on students, and one student estimates that 18% of the student body does not identify as Catholic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Notre Dame students who are Catholic | 80% to 82% |
| Percentage of non-Catholic students | 18% |
| Student body size | ~23,000 |
| Percentage of incoming freshmen identifying as Catholic in 2017 | 81% |
| Percentage of students receiving need-based aid | Over 50% |
| Percentage of first-generation students or Pell Grant recipients | 21% |
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What You'll Learn
The percentage of Catholic students at Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic research university that fosters inquiry, faith, and service. The university's leaders are committed to its mission as a preeminent global Catholic research university. The university's endowment pool supports its Catholic mission, enhancing the affordability, accessibility, and excellence of a Notre Dame education. The Office of Sustainability, for example, is directly related to the Catholic mission of the university.
The University of Notre Dame offers various student clubs dedicated to Catholic theology, diverse faith practices, social service, political advocacy and awareness, and more. The university also offers theology courses that are required for all students.
While having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission, over 93 percent of students identify as Christian, with over 80 percent of those being Catholic. This means that around 18 percent of students don't identify as Catholic.
The influence of Catholicism at Notre Dame varies across departments. For instance, a student in the Physics department shared that their experience was similar to that of a non-Catholic school, while their sister in the Art program felt the influence of the Catholic nature of the university. Overall, students can choose how much they want to engage with the Catholic culture on campus.
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Catholic influence varies across departments
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic research university with a strong commitment to its Catholic intellectual tradition. While the university welcomes students from all religious backgrounds, the influence of Catholicism is evident across the campus, with over 80% of students identifying as Catholic. The extent to which Catholicism is present in the daily lives of students, however, seems to vary across departments and individual experiences.
In terms of academic offerings, the University of Notre Dame has a diverse range of programs, including Catholic studies, theology, psychology, Italian studies, and science. The influence of Catholicism is more pronounced in certain departments, such as theology and Catholic studies, where students are directly engaged in the exploration of religious topics. The university also offers a variety of student clubs dedicated to Catholic theology and diverse faith practices, providing opportunities for students to explore and discuss their religious beliefs.
However, in other departments, such as the sciences, the influence of Catholicism may be less direct. A student in the Physics department, for example, noted that the influence of Catholicism was minor in their experience, resembling that of a non-Catholic school. Similarly, an art student shared that their program was relatively uninfluenced by the Catholic nature of the university. These experiences suggest that the Catholic influence can vary depending on the academic focus of the department.
The University of Notre Dame also integrates its Catholic identity into its pursuit of sustainability. The Office of Sustainability was established with the recommendation of a Sustainability Strategy Working Group, and it ties its efforts directly to the Catholic mission of the university. Additionally, the university's focus on ethics and moral character development is woven into the student experience. While students are not required to participate in religious activities, the Catholic culture is pervasive, and non-Catholic students may sometimes feel like outsiders.
The extent to which students engage with the Catholic influence can also depend on their personal choices. While the university does not force its beliefs on students, the opportunities to participate in Catholic practices and events are readily available. Some students may choose to actively engage with these opportunities, while others may opt for a more secular experience. Ultimately, the Catholic influence at the University of Notre Dame can vary depending on the individual student's department, personal interests, and engagement with the university's religious offerings.
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Catholic students at Notre Dame are commuters
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic university with a student body that is 80% Catholic. The Catholic influence varies across departments, with some departments, like Physics, resembling any other non-Catholic school. However, there are also Catholic student groups and places like The Grotto for those who want to engage with their faith. While being non-Catholic can make one feel like an outsider, it is not a criterion for admission, and Notre Dame's Catholic culture coexists with American popular culture on campus.
For Catholic students at Notre Dame who commute, the experience can be shaped by this interplay of Catholic and secular influences. On the one hand, they have access to a wide range of resources and communities that cater to their faith. The university offers over 400 student clubs, including those dedicated to Catholic theology and diverse faith practices. There are also faith-based groups and clubs hosted by Campus Ministry, providing opportunities for Catholic commuters to connect with others who share their beliefs. Additionally, Catholic commuters can participate in daily masses held across campus, including in their residence halls, and find spiritual spaces like The Grotto.
On the other hand, Catholic commuters at Notre Dame also navigate the intersection of their faith and the secular aspects of university life. They may encounter peers who exhibit contrasting behaviours, such as partying on Saturday nights and then attending mass with their families on Sunday mornings. This tension between Catholic values and popular culture can create a sense of moral masking, where individuals present different faces depending on the context. However, Catholic commuters can also find support and like-minded individuals within the Catholic community on campus.
The experience of Catholic commuters at Notre Dame is influenced by their engagement with the university's Catholic resources and their interactions with a diverse student body. They can choose to immerse themselves in the Catholic culture by participating in faith-based activities or find a balance between their faith and the secular aspects of university life. Ultimately, the extent to which Catholic students engage with their faith while commuting to Notre Dame can vary, and the university provides a range of opportunities for them to explore and express their spirituality.
In conclusion, Catholic students at Notre Dame who commute have a unique experience shaped by the university's Catholic identity and the diverse student population. They can take advantage of the many faith-based resources and communities while also navigating the interplay between Catholic values and popular culture. The extent to which they engage with their faith is individual, and Notre Dame offers a spectrum of opportunities for spiritual exploration and expression within the Catholic tradition.
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Catholicism is not forced on students
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic research university with a strong commitment to its Catholic intellectual tradition and a clear focus on fostering inquiry, faith, and service. While the university's Catholic identity is undeniable, it is important to note that Catholicism is not forced on students.
The university welcomes students from all religious backgrounds and respects their individual choices. While it is true that over 93% of students identify as Christian, with over 80% of those being Catholic, there are also non-Catholic and non-denominational Christian students on campus. These students have shared their experiences, highlighting that Notre Dame does not impose its Catholic beliefs on them. They emphasise having the choice to decide their level of involvement in Catholic practices and their appreciation for the university's accessibility and presence of opportunities to engage with Catholicism if they so choose.
The university's focus on academic excellence, research, and leadership extends beyond solely Catholic studies. It offers a diverse range of academic programmes, including science, psychology, economics, and the arts. Each department varies in terms of its Catholic influence, with some, like the Physics department, resembling any non-Catholic school. The university also boasts over 400 student clubs catering to various interests, including diverse faith practices, indicating a recognition and accommodation of different religious backgrounds.
While the Catholic culture at Notre Dame is evident, it does not dominate the student experience. Students have highlighted the presence of two-faced individuals who publicly display their faith but act contrary to its values. This suggests that while Catholicism is prevalent, it does not guarantee a particular behaviour or moral superiority. Students are free to navigate their own journeys of faith and make choices that align with their personal beliefs.
In conclusion, while the University of Notre Dame is deeply rooted in Catholicism, it does not force this religion on its students. The university encourages intellectual growth and moral character development, allowing students to explore their faith and make their own decisions regarding religious involvement. The variety of academic programmes, student clubs, and individual experiences showcase a diverse environment where Catholicism is an integral part of the university's identity but not an obligation for its students.
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Catholic students at Notre Dame are a minority
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic research university. It was founded by Edward Sorin and the Congregation of Holy Cross with a vision to do good in the country. The university is deeply committed to its mission as a global Catholic research university. It fosters inquiry, faith, and service. The university's endowment pool supports its mission by enhancing the affordability, accessibility, and excellence of a Notre Dame education.
While the university is Catholic, having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission. In fact, 18% of students at the university do not identify as Catholic. However, over 93% of students identify as Christian, with over 80% of those being Catholic. This means that Catholic students are a minority at the university, although a large one.
The influence of Catholicism at the university varies across departments. For instance, a student who majored in science stated that the influence of Catholicism in their department was minor but not zero. They also stated that the Physics department was basically like any other non-Catholic school. Their sister, who was in the Art program, also experienced relatively little influence from the Catholic nature of the university. However, there are plenty of Catholic student groups and places like The Grotto for those who want to engage with the Catholic community.
Some non-Catholic students have expressed feeling like outsiders at the university. One non-denominational Christian student shared that they had a valid fear of navigating such a saturated Catholic culture. They also mentioned that they felt they had to be careful about not contributing false faith to a body that believes something different from them. However, they appreciated that the university did not force its beliefs on them and that they had a choice in how much they wanted to engage with Catholicism.
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Frequently asked questions
Approximately 80% of Notre Dame students are Catholic.
The percentage of Catholic students at Notre Dame is higher than at other Catholic universities like DePaul, Boston College, and Loyola University.
Catholicism is very present on campus, with chapels in every residence hall, crucifixes in almost every room, and mass offered daily. However, it is not forced upon students, and non-Catholic students are free to choose how much they want to engage with it.
There is no clear trend in the number of Catholic students at Notre Dame. While one source suggests that the percentage of incoming freshmen identifying as Catholic increased from 57% in 2007 to 81% in 2017, another source states that a student in 2020 reported being one of the 18% of students who don't identify as Catholic.
