Notre Dame de Namur University

Notre Dame de Namur University is a private Catholic university located in Belmont, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula in Silicon Valley. Founded in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in California and was the first in the state authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees to women. The university operates as a nonprofit, coeducational institution and in recent years has focused primarily on graduate and degree-completion programs in fields such as business, education, and psychology. Notre Dame de Namur University serves a diverse student population, including adult learners seeking flexible, professionally oriented programs.

Notre Dame de Namur University was founded in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as the Academy of Notre Dame in San Jose, California. In 1868, the institution was chartered as the College of Notre Dame, becoming the first college in California authorized to grant the baccalaureate degree to women. In 1922, the Sisters purchased the Ralston Hall estate in Belmont, and the college relocated there in 1923. During the mid-20th century, Notre Dame de Namur University expanded its academic offerings, introduced evening classes, and began teacher credential programs. The institution became coeducational in 1969 and added master’s degree programs in 1972. In the 21st century, Notre Dame de Namur University transitioned toward a primarily graduate-focused model and, in 2025, completed the sale of its historic Belmont campus property as part of a broader institutional restructuring.