Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University is a private nonprofit institution with an acceptance rate of 5.9% and undergraduate enrollment of 7,208. The university maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and reports a 6-year graduation rate of 93.1%. Annual cost of attendance is $94,142, with 20.2% of students receiving Pell grants.
Vanderbilt University maintains highly selective admissions with a 5.9% acceptance rate and enrolls 7,208 undergraduates. The institution features an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 93.1% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 20,136 | 1,360 | 6.8% | 776 |
| Women | 25,177 | 1,484 | 5.9% | 846 |
Vanderbilt University admits 5.9% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Vanderbilt's cost of attendance is $94,142 annually. With a substantial $10.2 billion endowment and 20.2% Pell grant recipients, the university supports students across economic backgrounds.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $148.
After aid, Vanderbilt University costs $15,846 a year — about 30% less than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Vanderbilt University has a 93.1% six-year graduation rate and median earnings of $73,909 six years after enrollment and $91,565 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General | 304 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 229 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 190 |
| Computer Science | 169 |
| Psychology, General | 57 |
| Cognitive Science, General | 54 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 52 |
| Neuroscience | 50 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 47 |
| Engineering Science | 42 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Vanderbilt University are $84,542, and 82% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Vanderbilt University students earn $73,909 — 63% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Vanderbilt University is a private nonprofit institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 7,208 students and an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university competes in NCAA Division I-FBS athletics with annual athletic revenue of $35.1 million.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
423 of 7,086 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 7,152 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 639 of 6,304 graduate students.
Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and operates its own medical school.
Vanderbilt University spends $17,059 per student on research — about 3× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Vanderbilt University is in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 2 miles from the center of Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance). There are 8 other colleges within 25 miles, and Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN is 2 miles away.
Davidson County scores 10.3 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 5.1% of Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance)'s residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Vanderbilt University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Vanderbilt University reported 16 arrests and 75 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Vanderbilt University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Vanderbilt has an acceptance rate of 5.9%, making it one of the most selective universities in the country. This means admission is highly competitive, and applicants should have strong academic credentials and test scores.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 730-770 on SAT reading and writing and 770-800 on SAT math. The middle 50% ACT composite range is 34-35. 25% of applicants submitted SAT scores and 26% submitted ACT scores.
Specific deadline dates aren't included in this data. Visit Vanderbilt's official admissions website to confirm application deadlines, early decision dates, and all submission requirements.
The cost of attendance at Vanderbilt is $94,142 per year, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses. However, many students pay significantly less through financial aid and scholarships.
Vanderbilt's average net price is $15,846, compared with a $94,142 cost of attendance, so students receiving aid typically pay far less than the sticker price. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of $3,414 per year.
Approximately 20.2% of Vanderbilt's undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, which are federal aid for low-income students. This indicates the university enrolls students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Vanderbilt graduates earn a median of $73,909 six years after enrollment and $91,565 ten years after enrollment. These strong earnings reflect the university's excellent career outcomes and return on investment.
Vanderbilt's six-year graduation rate is 93.1% overall. However, it varies by student type: 89.3% for Pell Grant recipients and 97.1% for non-Pell Grant recipients.
Vanderbilt has an undergraduate enrollment of 7,208 students, making it a mid-sized private university. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, ensuring close interactions between students and professors.
Approximately 12.2% of Vanderbilt's undergraduate students are first-generation college students, while 52.5% of the student body is female. This shows Vanderbilt's diverse student population.