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Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · City · 7,208 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Oct 2026 · admissions.vanderbilt.edu
$15,846
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
93%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$91,565
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
6%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Located in the heart of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is an elite private research institution celebrated for pairing rigorous academics with a vibrant, high-energy campus culture. Undergraduate strengths are anchored by the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development, as well as standout programs in biomedical engineering, economics, and the Blair School of Music. The student experience combines SEC Division I school spirit and active social traditions with a collaborative "work hard, play hard" atmosphere. Distinctively, all first-year students live together in the close-knit Martha Rivers Ingram Commons residential community, situated across a lush, 330-acre parkland campus that is officially designated as a national arboretum.

Wikipedia:Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided the school with its initial $1 million endowment in the hopes that his gift, and the greater work of the university, would help to heal the sectional wounds inflicted by the American Civil War. Vanderbilt is a founding member of the Southeastern Conference and has been the conference's only private school since 1966.

Location
Nashville, TN, 37240 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BNA · Nashville
7 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$67,498
Housing & food (on campus)$22,054
Books & supplies$1,194
Cost of attendance$96,896
Average net price$15,846
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$67,498
Housing & food (on campus)$22,054
Books & supplies$1,194
Cost of attendance$96,896
Average net price$15,846
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.vanderbilt.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Vanderbilt University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$69,822
Fees$3,384
Housing$15,170
Food$8,520
Books & supplies$1,100
Personal expenses$1,998
Total published by the school$96,896
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$3,414
$30–48k
$1,876
$48–75k
$4,498
$75–110k
$12,153
$110k+
$45,145
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$32,791
Share of first-years who get one8%
Source: Vanderbilt University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
93%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
87%
Back for yr 2
96%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
93% graduated · 4% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$73,909
10 yrs after entry$91,565
Debt
Median at graduation$14,000
Monthly payment$148
Middle 50% owe$6.5k–$21k
90th percentile$27,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
6%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1549
R 730–770 · M 770–800
ACT midpoint
35
Comp 34–35 · E 35–36 · M 32–35
SAT middle 50%: 1500–1570
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 1 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 1 2027
in 91 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Oct 2026 · admissions.vanderbilt.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
From Vanderbilt University (admissions.vanderbilt.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Vanderbilt University's motto, Crescere aude , is Latin for "dare to grow." In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.

Quoted from Vanderbilt University's own page. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
8 : 1
Pell grant
20%
First-gen
12%
Family income
$58,118
Independent
2%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
39%
Hispanic
11%
Black
9%
Asian
19%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
11%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$73,909
After 10 yrs
$91,565
Social Sciences, General302
Economics286
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other263
Computer Science198
Mathematics157
Political Science and Government130
Psychology, General113
Neurobiology and Neurosciences112
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology74
Biomedical/Medical Engineering56
Music56
Mechanical Engineering54
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics53
History53
English Language and Literature, General52
Cognitive Science51
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$10.2B
Full-time faculty
85%
Faculty salary
$16,361/mo
Teaching spend
$34,184
per student
Federal loans
10%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$1.3B research spending · 494 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Vanderbilt University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search