Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Niche: A+
Vanderbilt University has a 5.6% acceptance rate. Vanderbilt University is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Nashville, TN, with a median SAT of 1540 and a median ACT of 35. The average net price is $15,846 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
5.6%
47,000 applicants
1540
Combined score
35
Composite score
$15,846
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Vanderbilt University (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 1490 | 1540 | 1570 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 34 | 35 | 35 |
93.1%
96.3%
$91,565
7,208
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Vanderbilt University:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $3,414 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $1,876 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $4,498 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $12,153 |
| $110,000+ | $45,145 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 613 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 272 |
| Engineering | 203 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 169 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 133 |
| Psychology | 83 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 68 |
| Education | 63 |
| Physical Sciences | 38 |
| History | 37 |
Official website: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/
Admissions: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/
Vanderbilt University has an acceptance rate of 6%. it received about 47,000 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1540; the average net price is $15,846 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Vanderbilt University for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Vanderbilt University is highly competitive — it admits 6% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1540. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Vanderbilt University for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Vanderbilt University typically have a median SAT around 1540 and a median ACT around 35. With a 6% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, TN. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Vanderbilt University is $15,846 per year after grants and scholarships. about 65% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $54,000 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Vanderbilt University has a graduation rate of 93%. its first-year retention rate is 96%; median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $91,565. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Vanderbilt University against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Vanderbilt University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1540. With a 6% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Vanderbilt University's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
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