Babson vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Babson vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson 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 Babson ($25,186 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Babson College are 2.3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,550 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $10,346 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at Vanderbilt than at Babson College (about $10,346 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Babson College (67% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($64,404 vs. $48,173).

Babson vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson 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 Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 80 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Babson vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson 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 Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $25,400 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($14,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($144 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.