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About Notre Dame College

Notre Dame College was founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922. Their charism still serves as the foundation of our College today, as we strive to provide a career-focused, values-based, private Catholic education to a diverse student body.

Studying at Notre Dame means personal, one-on-one attention from professors, dozens of student groups, a tight-knit student body, and a well-rounded curriculum. A liberal arts education from Notre Dame College equips students with personal and professional skills that help them chase their passions and change the world. 

Nestled on 48 scenic, wooded acres in a suburb just 25 minutes from Cleveland, Notre Dame College offers a blend of quiet campus life and big city adventure. Home to some of the country’s best restaurants, medical facilities, museums, sports teams, and amusement parks, Cleveland is an affordable city with major appeal.

Ready to explore all Notre Dame College has to offer? Schedule a tour to get a taste for campus life, meet with an admissions counselor, and connect with current students. 

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Picture Yourself at NDC

Can you see yourself walking from class to class through our picturesque campus? Rehearsing with friends for your next concert or strategizing positive social change with your favorite student organization? Do you want to play air hockey in the Falcon’s Nest on campus over the weekend, or venture out to explore some of Cleveland’s greatest attractions only 25 minutes away?

Notre Dame College is a place for students who want to take their education beyond the pages of a book and into the world. Our students succeed because they learn through experiences, engage with their peers, and root their studies in their values and convictions. A Notre Dame student enters their freshman year with an eagerness to learn and grow, an interest in the world around them, and a desire to make a difference. They emerge a graduate with relevant professional skills, a broadened perspective, and tools they’ll use to lead an impactful life.

Finding your place on campus is natural, with over thirty student groups to choose from and plenty of events and activities to attend. You’ll never know a dull moment. Small class sizes mean you get to know your peers and professors on a personal level, making authentic connections that open doors and last a lifetime.

Notre Dame College’s history sets it apart from other private and liberal arts colleges in Northeast Ohio. Our long and proven commitment to student-centered, values-based learning continues to benefit students today. Our strong foundation has allowed us to successfully innovate and grow, providing students the real-world experience and well-rounded education they’ll need to thrive in today’s 21st-Century society.

The best way to picture yourself at NDC is to see it firsthand! Tour the campus and residence halls, meet faculty members and athletic coaches, and experience our vibrant student life to feel what it’s like to be a Falcon.

Notre Dame College at a Glance

Browse our flip book for an overview of Notre Dame College. Learn about our mission, 100 year history as an educational institution and explore academic and student life on campus.

Falcon Facts

Year Founded: 1922

Affiliation: Sisters of Notre Dame

Type of College: 4-year, Catholic, Co-Educational, Liberal Arts

Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Associate; 34 Majors

Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2020): 1,106 (1,043 full-time)

Faculty 2020-2021: 52 full-time, 58% Ph.D. or terminal degree

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Campus Size: 50 acres

Residence Halls: 5

Admission: Rolling

Athletic Affiliation: 19 NCAA Division II sports, four varsity sports

School Colors: Royal Blue and Yellow Gold

School Mascot: Falcon

Traditional Student Profile

  • 45% are women
  • 55% are men
  • 47% are Catholic (of those disclosing)
  • 40% of the student body consists of minority students
  • 52% are student athletes
  • 64% overall retention rate
  • 91% of freshmen applicants are accepted for admission
  • 61% returning freshmen
  • 39% graduate in five years
  • 54% live on campus
  • 35 states and 21 foreign countries represented

Our History

What does Notre Dame’s history bring to its students? A precedent for innovation, a reputation for excellence, and a deep-seated commitment to student-centered learning. 

Over 200 Sisters of Notre Dame fled to the United States during Germany’s culture war. Many came to Cleveland, where the Bishop sought thoroughly trained teachers for German-speaking students. The students were eager to continue their studies with the Sisters, so in 1922, Notre Dame College welcomed its first freshman class. In 1925, five women graduated with certificates enabling them to teach in Ohio elementary schools. The following year, fourteen women earned the College’s first bachelor’s degrees.

A lot has changed since those first students graduated in 1925. But a few important things have stayed the same. First, we remain faithful to the College’s Catholic heritage and identity. While the College is inclusive and welcoming of all denominations and faiths, our Catholic tradition remains apparent in our curricula and throughout our physical campus. The spiritual heart of the College is our Christ the King Chapel, which has been used on a daily basis since its completion in 1928. Students are always welcome for private prayer and to join in daily Masses.

Notre Dame College also holds true to the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame, who sought to provide student-centered education characterized by excellence. Like the first graduates of Notre Dame College, today’s graduates enter the workforce well-equipped to make their community–and the world–a better place. Experiential learning, robust extracurriculars, and small class sizes create an environment where every student can achieve personal, professional, and academic excellence.

Our Faculty & Staff

Faculty and staff at Notre Dame College are central to the personal attention and caring heart of our student learning environment; the esteem and accomplishment of our higher education model; and the warmth, collaboration and economic impact of our workplace.

Build Character and Career

Your NDC education can waken and shape your passions, sharpen strengths and lead to a career path that is meaningful and rewarding. Discover your potential at NDC.