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Vanderbilt University

Private

Nashville, TN

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Vanderbilt University is a private mid-sized school in Nashville, TN, enrolling about 7,208 undergraduates. Vanderbilt University is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 6%. Among reported majors, Computer Science shows the strongest outcomes -- $160,021/year in median earnings four years after graduation. Students are required to live on campus.

Admissions

Admit rate6%
SAT range1500–1570
ACT range34–35
Undergrads7,208
Yield (admits who enroll)52%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$89,590
4-year grad rate93%
Median earnings, 10yr out$91,565

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Vanderbilt University's numbers?

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How Vanderbilt University weighs your application

From Vanderbilt University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresImportant
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesVery important
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans10%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out84%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$59,575/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$160,021/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$55,188/yr
Engineering
Chemical Engineering$121,641/yr
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$116,662/yr
Mechanical Engineering$101,345/yr
Civil Engineering$82,744/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$60,439/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$114,368/yr
History
History$69,820/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$141,171/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$86,559/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$71,584/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Policy Analysis$91,265/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$140,337/yr
Social Sciences, General$103,229/yr
Political Science and Government$102,789/yr
Sociology$83,649/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Music$59,217/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusYes
Dormitory capacity5,966
Typical room charge$12,720
Typical board charge$7,142

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Vanderbilt University look for in applicants?

Per Vanderbilt University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, application essay, class rank, academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Vanderbilt University's acceptance rate?

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN admits approximately 6% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Vanderbilt University?

Admitted students at Vanderbilt University typically score between 1500–1570 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Vanderbilt University?

Admitted students at Vanderbilt University typically score between 34–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Vanderbilt University cost?

Vanderbilt University's total cost of attendance is reported at $89,590 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Vanderbilt University?

Vanderbilt University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Vanderbilt University require students to live on campus?

Yes -- Vanderbilt University requires students to live in on-campus housing.

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