UC vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

UC vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 Cincinnati Main Campus than Vanderbilt ($24,696 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 38.5% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($13,564 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 383% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $53,522 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.3% higher at Vanderbilt than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $38,188 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Vanderbilt University (73% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 685.8% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($64,404 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 270 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

UC vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $37,500 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($14,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($144 vs. $237).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 57%)

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.