Overview
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University is known for its strong programs in law, medicine, and education. The university emphasizes research and interdisciplinary studies, and notable alumni include Al Gore and James Patterson.
There are currently 7,143 undergraduates at Vanderbilt and the school’s acceptance rate is 6%. The tuition at Vanderbilt is $63,946.
University
City
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$89,590
$70,550
$19,040
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$89,590The sticker price at Vanderbilt is $89,590. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Vanderbilt would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Vanderbilt University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Vanderbilt you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Vanderbilt is 003535 and the CSS Profile Code is 1871.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Tennessee scholarshipsVanderbilt University QuestBridge Scholarships
Vanderbilt is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Vanderbilt University through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Vanderbilt University’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Vanderbilt meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Vanderbilt's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Vanderbilt University? Vanderbilt offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Vanderbilt's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Vanderbilt University
21% of students at Vanderbilt University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Vanderbilt. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Admissions
6%
35
1518
Coalition Colleges
Vanderbilt is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Vanderbilt via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Vanderbilt have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Vanderbilt University includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Vanderbilt's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Vanderbilt Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Vanderbilt test-optional?
Vanderbilt University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at Vanderbilt?
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Is Vanderbilt University need-blind?
Yes, Vanderbilt University has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
7:1
Graduation Rate
93%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
33%
33% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
14%
14% of graduates
Engineering
12%
12% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Education
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
1%
1% of graduates
Legal Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
7,143
Pell Grant 19%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 1%
Undergrad Students Over 25 0%
Percent Male / Female 48% / 52%
Ethnic Diversity at Vanderbilt
39% White
19% Asian / Pacific Islander
12% Hispanic
10% Black
10% International / Non-Citizen
6% Multiracial
4% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$91,565
Median Debt $14,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $148
Graduation Rate 93%
What is the graduation rate at Vanderbilt University?
93% of students who start at Vanderbilt University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 35% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Vanderbilt University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Vanderbilt University is $91,565. This is $41,174 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Vanderbilt University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Vanderbilt take out in loans?
Graduates of Vanderbilt take out a median of $14,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Vanderbilt University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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