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Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
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Admit Rate
6%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Ultra-Selective
Cost of Attendance
$89,590
per year, before aid
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: Vanderbilt admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026)

Data sourced from Common Data Set (Institutional), Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy and deadlines checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years of math4 years of English3-4 years of lab science3-4 years of a foreign languageRigorous AP/IB/honors coursework

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. Vanderbilt admissions
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
2 teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$50. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Decision (binding) November 1, Early Decision II (binding) January 1, Regular Decision January 1. Vanderbilt admissions
Overall
6%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1510-1560
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Social Sciences
  2. 2Quantitative Economics
  3. 3Interdisciplinary Studies (other)
  4. 4Computer Science
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Political Science
  7. 7Neuroscience
  8. 8Psychology
  9. 9Cognitive Science
  10. 10Biomedical Engineering

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so Vanderbilt University may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Vanderbilt admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026)
Early Decision
November 1 · Binding
Early Decision II
January 1 · Binding
Regular Decision
January 1 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$50
Common App fee waiver
Accepted
Common App personal essay
Required
Recommendations
2 teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, mid-year report

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division I (FBS)
Varsity sports (11)
BaseballBasketballBowlingCross countryFootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSwimmingTennisTrack and field and cross country
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

Peabody College of Education and Human DevelopmentBlair School of Music

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
EconomicsHuman & Organizational DevelopmentBiological SciencesEngineeringPolitical Science
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Medicine, Health & SocietyImmersion VanderbiltCognitive Studies

Cost

Cost of attendance, per year
$89,590* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
Tuition $67,498* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$3,414
$30,001 – $48,000
$1,876
$48,001 – $75,000
$4,498
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,153
Over $110,000
$45,145

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

Vanderbilt is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need with no loans; it offers a limited number of highly competitive merit scholarships (e.g., Ingram, Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarships) to a small share of admits.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Nashville, Tennessee· Urban
Undergraduates
7,366
Setting
Urban
In a fraternity or sorority
30% of students
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Vanderbilt admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026

‡Vanderbilt admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026

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