UA Huntsville vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than UA Huntsville based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 8,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama in Huntsville is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama in Huntsville 17:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

UA Huntsville vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UA Huntsville 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 University of Alabama in Huntsville than Vanderbilt ($19,396 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama in Huntsville are 43.6% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($12,428 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 456.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UA Huntsville (about $55,366 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $12,132.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.6% higher at Vanderbilt than at University of Alabama in Huntsville (about $41,090 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $26,408.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama in Huntsville than at Vanderbilt University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 594.9% larger than aid received by University of Alabama in Huntsville students ($64,404 vs. $9,268).

UA Huntsville vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 230 points higher than at UA Huntsville (1310).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at UA Huntsville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 1210/1410; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 24/31; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UA Huntsville - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UA Huntsville (3.81).
• UA Huntsville has a higher acceptance rate (68.6%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at UA Huntsville vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

UA Huntsville vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UA Huntsville 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 University of Alabama in Huntsville's (45%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $32,600 more per year than UA Huntsville graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than UA Huntsville graduates ($14,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UA Huntsville graduates ($144 vs. $242).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UA Huntsville students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 55%)

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.