Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN, USA
Private
4 Year

Overview

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.

Acceptance Rate:
7%
Average Net Price:
$25,804
Campus Setting:
Major city
Average GPA
3.9
Average ACT Composite
35
Average SAT Composite
1515

Virtual Tour

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

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

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
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

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

Admissions Resources

Academics

Key Academic Stats

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

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
158

Faculty Overview

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
48%
52%
Residency
In-State Students
9%
Out-Of-State Students
89%

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

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$86,200
Vanderbilt is often confused with one of them Ivy League schools up in Connecticut or wherever, but with good reason. If you choose to attend the prestigious Vanderbilt University then you will receive a very fine education from professors who want you to succeed in acing their classes, reaching your goals, and finding your future. Professors will make time for you outside of class if you do not understand the material; they put themselves in our lives to teach us and they desperately want us to learn. The work at Vandy is not at all easy, but it is do-able. Plan on studying, reading, making notes, and attending classes regularly. That might sound miserable to you, but at Vandy many of your fellow students will be doing all this work right along side you...so you will never feel alone. A good GPA and any Vanderbilt degree will get you worthwhile internships and successful jobs. But, learning does not stop outside of the classroom at Vandyland. You can learn about your country and world by making friends from all over the earth, working with volunteer groups who build homes, spend time with refugee children, feed the hungry, play with kids in Vanderbilt's children's medical center, and even play with dogs at animal shelters. Nashville, TN itself provides opportunities to learn about music, art, and rich history of the United States. The learning never ends at Vandy, whether you're sitting in class, cheering at a sporting event, dancing at a party, wandering through an art museum, chilling to sweet music, attending a benefit for a charity, or roofing a home for needy Nashville neighbor. Fitting all these learning opportunities into your schedule can be difficult and at times mind-boggling, but the well-rounded education you will receive at Vanderbilt will help you develop into a more informed, greater, and caring individual than when you first arrived on Vanderbilt's campus.
K from Atlanta, GA
Vanderbilt University is ranked 18th in the country for top universities. This means Vanderbilt takes pride in their ability to teach their students. There are a lot of classes to choose from and the professors are almost always willing to help outside of class if needed. I have only completed my freshmen year so far but I can say that I have never had a teacher decline to help me with something I didn't quite understand in the classroom. Other students can also be a great resource for help because everyone who gets into the school is smart in some way or another. You will learn a lot from the classroom, your peers, and Nashville if you attend Vanderbilt.
R from MO
Last semester, my 3rd at Vandy, was the first time I began to understand This is why I am at Vanderbilt. Never have I been as challenged intellectually. As an education major, it was important for me to see that Vanderbilt's high rankings were more than just for show. My professors were among the best in their field, cited endlessly in notable research, yet they were able to make their knowledge accessible to undergraduate students. Furthermore, most of my major courses averaged 8 people per class, allowing me to develop close relationships with professors and creating much time for discussion of classes or for help and clarification. At Vanderbilt, I'm learning more than remedial tools and knowledge for becoming an educator; I'm learning the importance of using the individual students as the basis for my instruction and taking a research-based approach to implementing practices in the classroom. The course readings were not pages I skimmed as I crammed for tests, only to forget them a short while later. Instead, they are materials that are practical and applicable, that will no doubt aid me in the future as a teacher. Vanderbilt makes sure you're well-rounded and not just focused on your major. Other classes I have taken include American Popular Music, History of Fashion and Costume Design, and Avant Garde Cinema.
L from Chicago, IL
As a student at Vanderbilt, you will have the opportunity to take classes from some of the leading researchers and scholars in the nation. I never cease to be amazed by the incredible depth of intelligence my professor's possess. And what's so great about them is that they truly go out of their way to get to know you, in both and academic and personal setting. It is not uncommon for professors to go out for lunch, coffee, or coffee with their students and engage in intellectual discussions, as well as just taking up the opportunity of getting to know their students better. For example, I met one of my professors out for lunch for help on a paper, and we ended up discussing not only my paper but delving into political theory for an hour and a half. I have gone into my chemistry teacher's office, a class of about 200, and she knew my name individually and asked me questions about my future, my major,etc and ended up giving me some of the best academic (and life) advice I've received.
This learning experience does not stop in the classroom, however. First of all, you are among some of the smartest students in the country. Students are not competitive and legitimately enjoy helping each other, resulting in study groups as well as close friendships. Being around peers of various backgrounds who've had their own unique experiences has been a learning experience in and of itself. Vanderbilt also offers students several one-on-one opportunities with scholars from all around the country. The school hosts seminars and lectures from experts in every field, allowing students to get up close and personal with people such as international diplomats, former presidents, famous writers, and medical experts.
Go 'Dores!
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
Saying classes here are hard is an understatement. You can take all the AP courses you want, but they still don't compare. College is all about learning how to study and maximize your intellectual potential.
Ryan from Bowling Green, KY
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