The University of Notre Dame was recently ranked eighth on LinkedIn’s list for “Top Colleges 2025.” Released on Aug. 12, the list evaluates schools based on their tangible career outcomes. Notre Dame was ranked highly in business consulting and services, financial services and technology and internet, and stood out as the fifth school in the nation for job placement.
LinkedIn’s ranking is based on data about alumni’s career outcomes, advancement into senior positions, job placement rates and how many alumni started a company after graduating. They also consider how many alumni held an internship while pursuing their degree.
Associate vice president for career and professional development Ryan Willerton shared that the University distinguishes itself by the opportunities it provides for students to build professional networks.
“Networking is not about asking for a job, it’s a way to learn,” Willerton said.
The University provides students with resources to network and find employment. In addition to job-search platforms like Handshake and Udemy, Willerton shared that the University has created its own career development tools, such as databases that list alumni’s outcomes by major.
According to industry specialist for careers in financial services Brian Mulhern, Notre Dame’s culture promotes mentorship and community, both of which are valuable to alumni’s long-term success.
“Notre Dame has created a culture where helping each other is a core part of the learning process, especially related to helping with career discernment, networking and interview preparation,” Mulhern said.
Mulhern added that clubs such as the Student International Business Council, Pre-Law Student Board and Consulting Connect give students tools to grow their networks in ways that lays foundations for professional opportunities and offer long-term career support after graduation.
In addition to student clubs, the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development renewed the Visa Fintech Foundations Program, a six-week partnership with Visa that connects juniors with executives in finance and technology. Notre Dame was the sole university chosen for this pilot program. The career center also promotes career treks, enabling students to travel to cities and meet with various employers in the areas.
“One of the best dynamic initiatives has been a new series of career treks to employers all over the country,” regional engagement associate Dorothy Kozak Snoke said.
The University’s regional engagement model is another way students connect with employers across the country.
“A hallmark of Notre Dame’s regional engagement model is the Golden Gateway Series, which gives students curated access to some of their most sought-after ‘dream-employeers,‘” regional engagement manager Allison Gagnon said.
Companies such as Google, Nike, Apple, Epic Games, Meta, AMD, Amazon, Starbucks, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Applied Materials and GE Healthcare Finance will be part of the 2025 Golden Gateway Series.
Beyond connections with employers, the University also prizes connection to its alumni network. According to Willerton, the network is among the “best in the country.“
Strengthening the network continues to be a priority for Notre Dame. Associate director for strategic partnerships and operations Eric Oswald shared that an Executive in Residence program was recently launched to connect Notre Dame students with alumni and other experienced professionals on campus.
