Sewanee vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of the South 9:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Sewanee vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sewanee 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 Sewanee ($25,186 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 27.3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($16,028 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $11,378 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Vanderbilt than at The University of the South (about $11,378 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Vanderbilt University (98% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 73.3% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($64,404 vs. $37,171).

Sewanee vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sewanee 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 Sewanee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 210 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 1260/1390; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 27/31; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sewanee - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Sewanee vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Sewanee vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sewanee 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 The University of the South's (86%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Sewanee graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sewanee graduates ($144 vs. $196).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sewanee students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.