1. Home ›
  2. Why ND ›
  3. Rural & Small Town

Rural & Small Town

Rural & Small Town

College is a huge change, especially if you're coming from a small town where everyone knows each other. We get that. That strong, supportive community you're used to? You'll find it here at Notre Dame. Students from rural and small town areas bring essential voices to the Notre Dame family, enriching our shared campus life.

We're proud of our community, and it's a big reason why students love it here. You'll feel that sense of belonging from the moment you step on campus. In fact, graduating seniors consistently say the feeling of community is one of their favorite parts about being a student at Notre Dame. 

Silver pickup truck's back window decorated with "Notre Dame Bound," "Go Irish," and a shamrock in green, blue, and yellow paint. A bicycle is mounted on the truck bed.
  • 96% of students report a sense of belonging at Notre Dame
  • 95% of students are satisfied with the sense of community on campus
  • 97%  of students participate in a club or activity
  • 90% of students participate in internships or research projects
  • 96% of students graduate on time, one of the highest graduation rates in the nation
  • 98% of students are successful in finding career opportunities (jobs, graduate school, or volunteer work) within six months of graduation

A smiling young woman with long, light brown hair wears a cream-colored sweater and a delicate necklace with a small pendant. She stands outdoors on a grassy area of the Notre Dame campus with a university building in the background.

At Notre Dame, I’ve never felt like I had to leave my rural Appalachian identity behind—in fact, I’ve felt like this campus is eager to welcome unique experiences like my own. Notre Dame recognizes that where you come from shapes who you are, so your background isn't just accepted here; it's valued.

– Ella Bussell '28

Headshot of a person with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a dark gray sweater, in front of a wood-paneled wall.

Growing up in rural South Dakota has given me a lot of values and passions and a place I come back to every summer and my breaks from school. It’s my goal to come back after all of my schooling is done, but then to also be able to use my education to learn and achieve more.

– Kayle Lauck '25

Headshot of a young man with short curly hair, wearing a light gray sweater, smiling broadly in front of a blurred out stone building on the University of Notre Dame campus.

Before coming to Notre Dame, I don’t think I realized how much the place I grew up affected my values and interests and the way I view the world. At Notre Dame I’ve really been encouraged to engage with my background, not just as an exercise of self-reflection, but as a bridge to connect with others and better care for the people around me.

– Bjorn Mauritsen '26

Rural & Small Town Student Perspectives

Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network

STARS College Network logo with a gold and white star.

The Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network is a coalition of top national colleges and universities dedicated to providing support for students from rural areas and small towns in their college journeys. STARS is committed to widening the pathways to a world-class college education by overcoming obstacles common to small towns and rural areas, such as the lack of resources and information about distant universities. Notre Dame is proud to be a member of the STARS College Network’s mission, one of 32 members nationwide.

Resources for Small Town and Rural Students