Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private · Southeastern Conference
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See the full analysis — freeAdmission rate
Vanderbilt University admitted 5.9% of applicants university-wide (2,662 of 45,409).
| Cohort | Admit rate | Admitted | Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| University-wide | 5.9% | 2,662 | 45,409 |
| In-state | 10.8% | 266 | 2,463 |
| Out-of-state | 5.9% | 2,034 | 34,605 |
| International applicants | 4.3% | 362 | 8,341 |
| Early Decision (binding) | 15.4% | 825 | 5,363 |
| Men | 5.9% | 1,238 | 20,851 |
| Women | 5.8% | 1,424 | 24,553 |
Early Decision applicants were admitted at 15.4%, vs 5.9% overall — ED is a binding commitment.
Of 2,662 admitted students, 1,630 enrolled (61.2% yield).
Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.
Test scores and GPA of admitted students
- SAT (mid-50%)
- 1510–1560
- ACT (mid-50%)
- 34–35
- GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
- 3.75–4.00
Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)
Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.
Cost and financial aid
Published cost of attendance: $99,908/yr.
| Out-of-state tuition | $69,822 |
| Fees, housing, food, books & other | $30,086 |
| Sticker cost of attendance | $99,908/yr |
Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)
| Under $30k | $3,414 |
| $30k–48k | $1,876 |
| $48k–75k | $4,498 |
| $75k–110k | $12,153 |
| Over $110k | $45,145 |
US applicants
Need- and merit-based aid available.
- Chancellor's Scholarship — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Fred Russell-Grantland Rice Scholarship — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Ingram Scholarship — Full tuition plus $6,000 stipend for service projects (Full Tuition)
- Ingram Scholarship Program — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Vanderbilt Academic Merit Scholarship — Varies up to $25,000 per year (Merit)
- Vanderbilt University Grant — Varies up to full tuition (Full Tuition)
International applicants
Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.
- Chancellor's Scholarship — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Fred Russell-Grantland Rice Scholarship — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Ingram Scholarship — Full tuition plus $6,000 stipend for service projects (Full Tuition)
- Ingram Scholarship Program — Full tuition plus summer stipend (Full Tuition)
- Vanderbilt Academic Merit Scholarship — Varies up to $25,000 per year (Merit)
- Vanderbilt University Grant — Varies up to full tuition (Full Tuition)
Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections G–H · 2025
Application requirements
US applicants
- Official High School Transcript
- Counselor Letter of Recommendation
- Academic Teacher Letter of Recommendation 1
- Academic Teacher Letter of Recommendation 2
- SAT or ACT Scores (optional)
- Glimpse Video (optional)
- Schoolhouse.world Portfolio (optional)
- Application fee
International applicants
- Official High School Transcript
- Counselor Letter of Recommendation
- Academic Teacher Letter of Recommendation 1
- Academic Teacher Letter of Recommendation 2
- SAT or ACT Scores (optional)
- Glimpse Video (optional)
- Schoolhouse.world Portfolio (optional)
- Application fee
- English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
- GPA credential conversion
- Predicted Class XII marksheet
- Financial documentation (I-20)
Vanderbilt University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025
Essay prompts
The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 1 college-specific supplement:
- 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.250 words · Required
Draft these in the free Essay Coach
Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026
Graduate outcomes
- Median earnings
- $91,565
- Median earnings · 10 years after entry
- Graduation rate
- 93.5%
- Within 150% of normal time
- First-year retention
- 97%
- Return for year two · CDS Section B
- Median debt
- $14,000
- At graduation
Vanderbilt University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.
Published rankings
- U.S. News National: #17
- WSJ: #34
- Forbes: #11
- Niche: #7
- QS: #250
Deadlines
- 2026-11-01Early Decision — Binding early round
- 2027-01-01Regular Decision — Standard deadline
Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C21–C22 · 2024
Academics and campus
Largest degree fields: Social sciences (27%), Interdisciplinary studies (16%), Computer & information sciences (9%).
Student–faculty ratio: 8:1 · 57% of class sections have under 20 students.
Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections E, F, I · 2025 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.