Vanderbilt University

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Nashville, TN
5.0 5 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

13,575

Location Nashville, Tennessee
Website vanderbilt.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large City

Best Colleges Rank

#16

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Vanderbilt University occupies a 330-acre campus in the West End neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, approximately two miles from downtown. The campus, designated as a national arboretum, features a mix of Collegiate Gothic and Greek Revival architecture anchored by the iconic Kirkland Hall bell tower. Founded in 1873 through a gift from railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, the university maintains selective undergraduate admission standards and is recognized for its strong programs in medicine, education, engineering, and business. The Blair School of Music, Peabody College of Education, and the School of Engineering serve as distinctive academic pillars, while the university's medical center functions as a leading research and treatment facility in the Southeast. Most undergraduate students reside on campus within the college house system, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Southeastern Conference.

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Ratings

Vanderbilt is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

10 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Vanderbilt University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1500/1570
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 34/35
GPA 3.89

Acceptance Rate

5.9%

Applications Due Jan 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 61.2%
Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Extreme

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$67,498

Costs for Vanderbilt University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$67,498
Books and Supplies		$1,194
Other Fees		$2,490
Room and Board		$22,054
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,396
Total One Year Cost		$96,632

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$83,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

92% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Vanderbilt University are Social Sciences, Engineering, and General Studies. 27% of students major in Social Sciences, 13% in Engineering, and 9% in General Studies.