Vanderbilt vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, TN (Large City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vanderbilt University 8:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Vanderbilt vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanderbilt or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Vanderbilt ($25,078 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stanford University are 3.4% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,315 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $1,588 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Vanderbilt than at Stanford University (about $1,588 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Stanford University (67% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Stanford University students ($64,404 vs. $62,755).

Vanderbilt vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vanderbilt or Stanford? 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 Stanford and Vanderbilt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanderbilt University 1500/1570; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanderbilt University 34/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vanderbilt - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Vanderbilt has a higher acceptance rate (5.9%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Vanderbilt vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Vanderbilt vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vanderbilt and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $39,800 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $1,525 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($12,475 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($128 vs. $144).
• More Stanford 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.