Vanderbilt University

89.5

College Consensus
•AVERAGE: 69

93.9

Publisher Consensus
•AVERAGE: 58.7

Student Consensus
•AVERAGE: 76.8

Publisher Ratings

95.3

Wall Street Journal

94.5

Wallethub

93.4

U.S. News - National Universities

93.4

Washington Monthly National

Forbes

Student Reviews

97.4

84.6

80.3

77.9

Scores last updated on January 6, 2024

Percent Admitted

88%

4-year Graduation Rate

13,710

Enrollment

7.0:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

$49,056

Average Undergraduate Students Aid

$60,348

In-State Tuition and Fees

$60,348

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

= Average

Sector

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

Carnegie Classification

Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity

Religious Affiliation

Not applicable

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Vanderbilt University, a private 4-year school is located in Nashville, TN. Founded in 1873 using a philanthropic gift from railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, the campus sits on 330 acres just minutes from downtown. Vanderbilt was founded amidst southern reconstruction and was under the control of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. These ties were severed in 1914. Even though the campus is centrally located in metropolitan Nashville, the campus home to more than 300 tree and shrub varieties and was designated an arboretum in 1988. One tree, referred to as the Bicentennial Oak, is certified to have lived during the American Revolution and is the oldest living thing on the campus. Among the many notable alumni are politician Lamar Alexander, former Vice President Al Gore and NFL Quarterback Jay Cutler.

Academic Programs

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges and offers Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, post-masters certificates and Doctorates in 70 fields of study. While the school has special recognition for their Nursing, Midwifery, Dental, Psychology, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Medical Education, Law, Theology and Music programs, the largest undergraduate programs are in Social Sciences and Engineering. The University is comprised of four undergraduate schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, and Blair School of Music and six graduate and professional schools, including the Divinity School, Graduate School, Law School, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Owen Graduate School of Management. According to the Mission statement, “Vanderbilt University is a center for scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, and service to the community and society at large. Vanderbilt will uphold the highest standards and be a leader in the quest for new knowledge through scholarship, dissemination of knowledge through teaching and outreach, creative experimentation of ideas and concepts. In pursuit of these goals, Vanderbilt values most highly intellectual freedom that supports open inquiry, equality, compassion, and excellence in all endeavors.”

Student Life

There are over 6800 undergraduate students and over 5800 graduate students enrolled at Vanderbilt University. Campus housing is prevalent and varied. There are traditional dormitories, themed housing and suites. All incoming freshmen live in one residence quad; upperclassmen can select their housing type. There are nearly 500 student-run organizations on campus to suit and interest or background. Club sports and intramurals are popular and for the varsity athlete, the Black and Old Gold Commodores field teams in 10 sports and participate in NCAA Division I-A competition. One tradition is the “freshman run” where all freshmen are required to attend the first football game of the season and run across the field before the game. When he gave $1 million to create a university in 1873, Cornelius Vanderbilt had a vision of a place that would “contribute to strengthening the ties that should exist between all sections of our common country.”

Owen Graduate School of Management