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Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private · Large city · Carnegie R1/R2

Private institution in Nashville, TN · 7,143 undergraduates · 6% acceptance rate · $91,565 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price
$19,040995th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees
$63,9461,984th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees
$63,9461,984th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance
$84,4121,972nd cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt
$14,000268th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry
$91,56561st highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$73,90990th highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year)
92.7%56th highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention
96.4%100th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate
6.3%15th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT
15507th highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT
351st highest of 954 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates
7,143361st largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio
7.0:1146th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share
18.5%1,800th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 7 mi (BNA)

On 9 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Applying

Common App member
Yes
Application fee
$50
Personal essay
Required
Writing supplement
No

Supplemental prompts (2025-26)

  • For both first-year and transfer applicants, we ask you to complete a short answer essay (approximately 250 words) based on the following prompt:
  • - 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.

Source: Aristotle Circle 2025-26 supplemental prompt roundup

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 50 reported programs.

FieldLevel1 yr2 yr
Computer Sciencebachelors$116,083$102,409
MathematicsMathematics & Statisticsbachelors$77,401$80,309
Chemical EngineeringEngineeringbachelors$77,213$73,446
EconomicsSocial Sciencesbachelors$76,208$72,134
Mechanical EngineeringEngineeringbachelors$74,405$69,817
Civil EngineeringEngineeringbachelors$67,324$64,913
Engineering ScienceEngineeringbachelors$63,005$66,169
Biomedical/Medical EngineeringEngineeringbachelors$59,124$70,680
Social Sciences, GeneralSocial Sciencesbachelors$57,860$56,544
Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciencesbachelors$50,439$43,798
Fine and Studio ArtsVisual & Performing Artsbachelors$43,798$42,682
Area StudiesArea & Ethnic Studiesbachelors$42,774$37,208

Campus facts

Athletics — 11 sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · NCAA Division I

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $21,497,633 (M $12,975,789 · W $8,521,844)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport.

Notable alumni

Illustrative alumni only — not exhaustive and not a quality ranking. Affiliation claims cite Wikipedia/Wikidata; confirm on primary bios before relying on them.

Campus news