Auburn vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Vanderbilt? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Vanderbilt University than Auburn ($25,186 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 24.6% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($16,626 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 423.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $54,608 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.3% higher at Vanderbilt than at Auburn University (about $32,576 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at Vanderbilt University (80% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 492.4% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($64,404 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Vanderbilt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Vanderbilt and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 210 points higher than at Auburn (1330).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Vanderbilt? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $29,000 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($14,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($144 vs. $222).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Auburn students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.