The Notre Dame Mendoza MBA is the two-year, full-time MBA at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business in Notre Dame, Indiana. It is ranked No. 34 by U.S. News (2026 edition), admitted 33.8% of applicants for the fall 2025 intake according to Poets&Quants, and is deliberately shrinking its class to give each student more career support. Graduates of the Class of 2025 earned a median base salary of $139,148.
Round 1 closed on 20 October 2026, so your Deadline is Round 2 on 7 January 2027, and Notre Dame strongly encourages international candidates to apply by that date for visa reasons. Tuition for 2026-27 is $75,460 and the full cost of attendance is $107,800. This guide covers the Notre Dame MBA requirements for international students, the written statement and slide Snapshot, the video assessment, costs, scholarships and careers.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Two-year full-time MBA, Notre Dame, Indiana |
| U.S. News rank | No. 34, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026), tied with Rochester Simon |
| Acceptance rate (fall 2025 intake) | 33.8% of 606 applicants (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data) |
| Entering class | 72 students (fall 2025) |
| International students | 25% (Class of 2026) |
| Average GMAT / GRE | 680 / 317 (Class of 2026) |
| Application fee | $175 |
| Tuition, 2026-27 | $75,460 |
| Total cost of attendance, 2026-27 | $107,800 |
| STEM | Through five STEM-designated concentrations (announced 2020) |
| Median base salary (Class of 2025) | $139,148 |
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA ranking
U.S. News ranked Mendoza No. 34 among full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools list, released on 7 April 2026, tied with Rochester’s Simon Business School. Poets&Quants rates it higher, at No. 28 in its own 2026 composite ranking. Notre Dame’s alumni network is its best-known asset; the dean has called it the strongest in higher education, and graduates use it heavily in recruiting.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA acceptance rate and class profile
Notre Dame does not publish an acceptance rate on its admissions page. Poets&Quants, analysing data reported to U.S. News, gives these figures:
| Intake | Applications | Acceptance rate | Yield | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 606 | 33.8% | 35.1% | 72 |
| Fall 2024 | 851 | 33.8% | 30.9% | 89 |
| Fall 2023 | 917 | 33.2% | 34.2% | 104 |
The class has fallen from 104 to 72 in two years, and that is intentional. Poets&Quants reported in August 2026 that Mendoza has been reducing the full-time MBA over several cycles while adding career staff, so each student gets more coaching and employer contact. The admit rate has stayed near one in three, so your odds have not changed much, but the class is now small enough that fit and a clear career plan carry real weight.
The most recent full profile is for the Class of 2026, which entered in fall 2024, as reported by Poets&Quants:
| Notre Dame MBA Class of 2026 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Class size | 89 |
| Average GMAT (range) | 680 (560 to 760) |
| Average GRE (about a quarter submitted) | 317 |
| International | 25%, from 13 countries |
| Women | 30% |
| Top pre-MBA sectors | Banking, finance or insurance 28%; consulting 16%; technology 11%; military 9% |
Mendoza’s admissions pages do not publish a GPA average, work experience average or GMAT Focus figure, and I could not find an official profile for the class that entered in 2025 or 2026. The GMAT range starting at 560 shows that scores well below the average can still get in with a strong record.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA requirements for international students
- Full term-by-term transcripts from every college or university you attended, including summer sessions. Degree audits are not accepted. If you already hold an MBA, you are not eligible.
- GMAT or GRE scores less than five years old, sent directly (GMAT XM7-2D-89, GRE 6998). Waivers may be available through a form with supporting documents.
- One recommendation, using the Common Letter of Recommendation.
- A one-page resume.
- A written statement of up to 500 words.
- The Applicant Snapshot: up to four slides in a PDF.
- A video assessment, with the link emailed after you submit.
- English proficiency for non-U.S. citizens.
- The $175 non-refundable fee, paid by credit card.
- An optional supplemental essay.
English requirements
Mendoza accepts the TOEFL (code 2456), IELTS, PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test, but its application page does not list minimum scores, so ask admissions what score is competitive before you book. You can be exempt if you completed at least six full-time semesters or nine full-time quarters at a university where English is the primary language. Many graduates of universities in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India and the Philippines may qualify on that basis; confirm with Mendoza in writing.
Fee waivers
Waivers of the $175 fee are offered to U.S. military members and veterans and to current or former Peace Corps and Teach For America volunteers. Mendoza does not list a waiver aimed at international applicants, but you can email mba.business@nd.edu to ask.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA deadlines 2026-2027
| Round | Deadline | Decision | Confirmation deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action (closed) | 10 September 2026 | 16 October 2026 | 16 November 2026 |
| Round 1 (closed) | 20 October 2026 | 11 December 2026 | 11 January 2027 |
| Round 2 | 7 January 2027 | 5 March 2027 | 5 April 2027 |
| Round 3 | 17 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 30 May 2027 |
International applicants
Notre Dame strongly encourages international candidates to apply by 7 January 2027 so there is time for the I-20 and visa. A Round 3 decision on 30 April 2027 leaves a short window before an August start.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your English exemption (six semesters at an English-language university) or book an accepted test.
- Take the GMAT or GRE, or prepare the waiver form and documents.
- Collect term-by-term transcripts for every institution, including short programmes.
- Brief one recommender who has watched your work closely.
- Write the 500-word career plan and design the four-slide Snapshot.
- Cut your resume to one page.
- Pay the $175 fee and submit by 7 January 2027.
- Complete the video assessment when the link arrives by email.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA essays 2026-2027
| Component | Prompt (summary) | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Written statement | Your detailed post-degree career plans: short- and long-term goals, the industry and function you want | 500 words |
| Applicant Snapshot | A light-hearted look at your personality; no audio or video | Up to 4 slides, PDF |
| Supplemental essay (optional) | Employment gaps, unusual experiences or personal challenges | No limit stated |
The written statement
This is a plain career-plan essay, so be exact. Name the function and the industry for your first job, and two or three target companies that recruit at Notre Dame. Explain the skills gap the MBA closes and which concentration you will take. Finish with a long-term goal that grows naturally from the first role.
For illustration: “After the MBA I want to join the corporate finance team of a consumer goods company such as Procter & Gamble, building on five years of credit analysis at a Nairobi bank.”
The Applicant Snapshot
Four slides, a light tone, no video or sound. Show who you are outside the resume: family, a hobby, a place, a habit. A good structure is one slide per idea with a photo and one or two lines of text. Keep the design clean and make sure it reads well without you there to present it.
The Notre Dame video assessment
After you submit, Mendoza emails a link to a video assessment in which members of the admissions committee pose a series of questions. The application page does not give the number of questions or time limits. Practise answering common MBA questions aloud in about a minute each: why an MBA, why Notre Dame, a leadership example and a setback.
What the admissions committee looks for
- A specific, realistic career plan, since that is the only required essay.
- Personality and humour, shown in the Snapshot.
- A recommender who has closely observed your performance.
- Academic readiness through a test score or a waiver case.
- Fit with a small, close community and its values.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA tuition and cost of attendance
| Item | 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $75,460 |
| Programme fee | $2,700 |
| Student fees | $650 |
| Housing and food | $17,820 |
| Personal expenses | $6,720 |
| Transportation | $2,700 |
| Books and supplies | $1,750 |
| Total cost of attendance | $107,800 |
Notre Dame adds federal loan fees to the budget only for students who take federal loans, which international students cannot. Over two years, expect about $215,000 before any scholarship.
Costs not covered
- Health insurance, which this budget does not show as a separate line; ask Mendoza whether it is included in the fees.
- Furniture and deposits for off-campus housing.
- A car, if you live off campus or plan regular trips to Chicago.
- The SEVIS fee, U.S. visa fee and flights.
- Extra funds for a spouse or children.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA scholarships for international students
All applicants are considered automatically for scholarships after a holistic review. Mendoza’s tuition page does not say any award is closed to international students, and it does not publish the average award or the share of students funded.
| Award | What it gives | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meyer Fellows | Full tuition, a $25,000 annual stipend, health insurance and priority registration | A select few incoming students |
| Angrick Military Scholars | $30,000 a year in wrap-around funding | Up to ten scholars, starting August 2026; preference for U.S. military veterans |
| Merit scholarships | Varies | All applicants considered |
For loans, Notre Dame says international students can get private loans, often with a U.S. co-signer, and points to an MBA loan search tool. It does not name Prodigy Finance or MPOWER. For outside funding, see our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
The Notre Dame MBA is not STEM-designated as a whole. In 2020 Mendoza announced that students who complete one of five concentrations receive a STEM-designated MBA: business analytics, corporate finance, investments, supply chain management, and a STEM-focused marketing concentration. That allows international graduates to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to three years of U.S. work after graduation. The current admissions and tuition pages do not repeat this list, so confirm it with Mendoza before you plan your courses.
Notre Dame Mendoza MBA salary and employment
From Mendoza’s 2025 MBA employment report for the Class of 2025:
- 72.2% had job offers and 71.1% had accepted offers three months after graduation.
- Median base salary: $139,148; the report lists the mean as $136,000.
- Median bonus: $36,847.
- Median base by industry: consulting $175,000, technology $143,000, manufacturing $133,000.
| Industry | Share of accepted offers |
|---|---|
| Financial services | 31.2% |
| Consulting | 21.9% |
| Technology | 18.8% |
| Healthcare | 10.9% |
| Other | 7.8% |
| Manufacturing | 4.7% |
| Consumer products | 3.1% |
By region, 42.2% stayed in the Midwest, mainly Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and Minneapolis. Top employers were Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, EY-Parthenon, Amazon and PwC, and others included McKinsey, Deloitte, Capital One, Fidelity and Visa. The report does not split outcomes for international students.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Applying in Round 3 and leaving too little time for the visa.
- Uploading a degree audit or summary sheet instead of full term-by-term transcripts.
- Sending a two-page resume.
- Making the Snapshot a second resume instead of showing personality.
- Adding audio or video to the Snapshot PDF.
- Taking a non-STEM concentration when you need STEM OPT.
- Applying if you already hold an MBA, which makes you ineligible.
Who should apply to Notre Dame Mendoza, and who shouldn’t
Apply if you want a small class, an alumni network known for loyalty, and careers in finance, consulting or technology, especially in the Midwest. The roughly one-in-three admit rate and the 560 to 760 GMAT range make it reachable for strong professionals with average scores.
Think twice if you want a big city on your doorstep, a large international community (25% in the Class of 2026), or published minimum English scores before you apply.
Notre Dame vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Tuition or cost | International | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Mendoza | No. 34 | 680 (Class of 2026) | $75,460 a year tuition, 2026-27 | 25% | 7 January 2027 |
| Georgetown McDonough | No. 31 | 713; Focus 626 (2026 entrants) | $75,016 first-year tuition, 2026-27 | 44% | 6 January 2027 |
| Rochester Simon | No. 34 | 675; Focus 625 (Class of 2027) | $60,000 a year tuition, 2026-27 | Not published | 5 January 2027 |
| Indiana Kelley | No. 21 | 618 (Class of 2028) | $55,695 a year | 39% | 5 January 2027 |
| Rice Jones | No. 29 | 625 GMAT Focus (Class of 2027) | $79,116 a year tuition (2026) | 41% | 6 January 2027 |
For undergraduate study at the same university, see our University of Notre Dame admission requirements for international students.
FAQ
What is the Notre Dame MBA acceptance rate?
Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports 33.8% of 606 applicants admitted for the fall 2025 intake, with 72 students enrolling.
What GMAT score do I need for Notre Dame Mendoza?
There is no published minimum. The Class of 2026 averaged 680 with a range of 560 to 760, and test waivers may be available.
Is the Notre Dame MBA STEM designated?
Not as a whole. Mendoza announced in 2020 that five concentrations, including business analytics and supply chain management, lead to a STEM-designated MBA.
What is the Notre Dame MBA deadline for international students?
The Deadline is Round 2 on 7 January 2027, and Notre Dame strongly encourages international candidates to apply by then.
Sources and updates
Deadlines, requirements, the written statement, Snapshot, video assessment, English tests, fee and waivers are from Mendoza’s Notre Dame MBA apply page. Tuition, cost of attendance, scholarships and loans are from its two-year MBA tuition and aid page. Outcomes are from Mendoza’s MBA outcomes page and its 2025 MBA employment report. STEM concentrations are from a 2020 Mendoza dean’s column on the MBA and STEM. The Class of 2026 profile is from Poets&Quants’ July 2025 article on that class, and the class-size strategy from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 article on why Notre Dame is shrinking its MBA. Acceptance rates and yield are from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 article on acceptance rates at the top 100 U.S. MBA programmes. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (released 7 April 2026), as reported by Poets&Quants. Checked on 29 October 2026.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
