Vanderbilt University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $86,200 within 10 years; exceptional 93% graduation rate.
About This School
Vanderbilt University is a private nonprofit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee with approximately 7,143 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 6%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,040 per year. The graduation rate is 93%, and the typical graduate earns $86,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided the school with its initial $1 million endowment in the hopes that his gift, and the greater work of the university, would help to heal the sectional wounds inflicted by the American Civil War. Vanderbilt is a founding member of the Southeastern Conference and has been the conference's only private school since 1966.
This is a strong option for high-achieving students who can get in — a 6% acceptance rate makes it one of the most selective schools in the country, so apply with clear eyes. The financial picture is surprisingly reasonable for a private university, with an average net price of $19,040/year and median debt at graduation of just $12,913, and a 93% graduation rate signals that students who enroll tend to finish strong. Nashville's growth as a major city adds real-world opportunity, and median earnings of $86,200 a decade out suggest the degree translates well in the job market.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,143 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Tennessee
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · Public
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN · Public
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN · Public
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN · Public
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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