Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN, USA

Vanderbilt University was founded in 1873 as a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Academically, the university focuses on an interdisciplinary approach,  encouraging students to take courses from any of the 143 areas of study. The 330-acre urban campus offers four undergraduate schools, features more than three million volumes at the Jean and Alexander Heard library, and provides a variety of student research opportunities through the Vanderbilt University Summer Research Program. First-year students reside at the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, comprised of ten buildings designed to help students study alongside faculty and mentors.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
7%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted.November 1
Fall Regular DecisionJanuary 1
OtherJanuary 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
9%
Out-Of-State Students
89%
32%
Submitting ACT
29%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 35
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1515
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
13,710
Total Number of Undergrads
7,151
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
56%
20-39 Students
27%
40-99 Students
11%
100+ Students
4%
0
100
88%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
93%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
7:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$25,804
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$63,946
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$63,946
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$21,054
Books and Supplies
$1194

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Aid Per Year
$53,932
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,523
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$51,746

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
11%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,872
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$143

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
48%
52%
Student Organizations
500
Size of Town
Major city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
94%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Commodores
School Colors
black and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Southeastern Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Nashville
New York
Atlanta
Washington
Chicago
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
67%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$86,200

What Students Are Saying

Vanderbilt University is an outstanding private university with high-achieving students with diverse interests and involvements. Located in Nashville, TN, the school is in the perfect place for students to live in a college community, but also venture into the city and explore. This academic institution provides challenging courses, but also a wonderful and supportive collegiate community.
Andi from Chagrin Falls, OH
Choosing to attend Vanderbilt was, quite honestly, one of the most wise decisions I have ever made in my short, 20 year life!!! Vanderbilt offers a wide variety of opportunities for all of it's students. From hosting a beautiful campus, to taking an active stance on student health, to making sure every students is represented, Vanderbilt offers not only a high-quality education, but also a well rounded program suited for any individual!!
Walisha from Louisville, KY
Vanderbilt University is an institution geared towards challenging its students academically in order to ensure a successful future. However, there are resources such as 24-hour tutoring and extensive office hours to help with the rigorous work. With talented professors, stellar academic and research opportunities and an environment that fosters personal growth (not to mention spectacular food), there's a reason that Vanderbilt University students were rated the happiest in the nation.
C from Georgia
I am currently an incoming freshman, but already from what little experience I have had with the school, I LOVE it! Everyone I have met attending Vanderbilt have all been super nice and the faculty I have had the pleasure to work with all seem to have the students in mind. I plan on doing pre-med and so far their program seems fantastic, with detailed information for everything pre-med on their website and in their emals.
James from Anchorage, AK
It is No. 17 based on US News Best College Rankings for various aspects of what people want out of a college and graduation rate and retention performance, etc. It has invaluable research opportunities for those seeking great opportunities to further their education in their field. Vanderbilt offers a safe environment, superfluous options in dining, and spectacular opportunities to become the best you.
A from Vandy