University

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1873 and named for Cornelius Vanderbilt, who endowed it with a $1 million gift. The university operated under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for its first 40 years, and its Board of Trust severed ties with the church in 1914. Landon C. Garland served as the first chancellor, from 1875 to 1893. The original Main Building on campus is now known as Kirkland Hall.

Institution type: Private, nonprofit
Campus setting: Urban
Application platforms: Common App, Coalition App
Testing policy: Test optional (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $67,498
Out-of-state tuition: $67,498
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,208

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2025–2026 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

5.4%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,366 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,310 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 56 students

First-year admission

Majors

Anthropology
Social Sciences
Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation
Architecture and Related Services
Area Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Engineering
Chemistry
Physical Sciences
Civil Engineering
Engineering

Deadlines

Financial aid · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — CSS Profile and FAFSA deadlines: ED I Nov. 1, 2026; ED II Jan. 1, 2027; RD Feb. 1, 2027.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/
Early decision · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Scholarship · 2026–2027
2026-12-01 — Merit scholarship deadline.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

1 short-answer essay

Vanderbilt requires one approximately 250-word short-answer essay in addition to the personal essay.

2026–2027

Required · First-year applicants
Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.
Limit: 250 words — Required Vanderbilt short-answer essay.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/
Required · First-year applicants
Vanderbilt University's motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $50
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Teacher evaluations · Required
Value: 2
"Two academic teacher letters of recommendation." Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official Vanderbilt 2026–27 first-year short-answer prompt.
Official source · supports majors
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/academics/
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Official undergraduate academics/majors page; retrieved 2026-09-02
Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fee, waiver, and personal-essay fields; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

2,593 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

1,635 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

31.6%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

56.6%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

9.1%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

1.4%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

0.6%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

0.6%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

0.1%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

3.9 GPA

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 24%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 28%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 740 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 770 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 770 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 790 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 34 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 35 score

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 8:1

Source: Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Retrieved 2026-09-01

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:37b70162d0e9e9d27bdb00fd01b0a618e4da8ce11d6948453c71e73c0af83637 · Import: cds-2026-09-v34

Classical and Ancient Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Cognitive Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Communication and Media Studies

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Computer Engineering

Engineering

Computer Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Economics

Social Sciences

Education, General

Education

Education, Other

Education

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Engineering

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering Science

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Non-Professional Legal Studies

Legal Professions and Studies

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Public Policy Analysis

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Research and Experimental Psychology

Psychology

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Science, Technology and Society

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Social Sciences, General

Social Sciences

Sociology

Social Sciences

Special Education and Teaching

Education

Sustainability Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

Education

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Education

Early decision II · 2026–2027

2027-01-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.

https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Early decision · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Early Decision I — binding. "November 1, 2025 — Deadline for completed application." Admission decisions available mid-December.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/decision-plans.php
Financial aid · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Early Decision I: "November 1, 2025 — Priority filing deadline for CSS Profile and FAFSA." Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2026-01-02 (Early Decision II: "January 2, 2026 — Priority filing deadline for submitting CSS Profile and FAFSA."); 2026-02-01 (Regular Decision: "February 1, 2026 — Priority deadline for filing CSS Profile and FAFSA.").
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/
Scholarship · 2025–2026
2025-12-01 — "December 1, 2025 — Deadline for completed merit scholarship applications" (applies to all first-year decision plans).
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/
Early decision II · 2025–2026
2026-01-01 — Early Decision II — binding. "January 1, 2026 — Deadline for completed application." Admission decisions available mid-February 2026.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/decision-plans.php
Regular decision · 2025–2026
2026-01-01 — Regular Decision — non-binding. "January 1, 2026 — Deadline for completed application." Admission decisions available late March 2026.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/decision-plans.php

Limit: 250 words — Single required short-answer prompt (approximately 250 words), in addition to the Common Application or Coalition personal essay.

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Required · First-year applicants
Vanderbilt University's motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.
Limit: 250 words — Single required short-answer prompt (approximately 250 words), in addition to the Common Application or Coalition personal essay.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/

Counselor recommendation · Required

"Counselor letter of recommendation." Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.

Personal essay · Required

The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.

https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

Supplemental essays · Required

Value: 1 short-answer essay

Vanderbilt requires one approximately 250-word short-answer essay in addition to the personal essay.

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/

Secondary school report · Required

"Official high school transcript" submitted by the school. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/

English proficiency · Required

Required for international applicants whose first language or language of instruction is not English; not required for applicants whose first language or language of instruction is English. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/

CSS Profile · Required

CSS Profile required to be considered for Vanderbilt need-based (institutional) scholarships. CSS Profile school code 1871. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/undergraduate/

FAFSA · Required

FAFSA required to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. FAFSA school code 003535. Current-cycle source reviewed 2026-09-02.

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/undergraduate/

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: 50
"$50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students."
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/
Fee waiver · Optional
"Vanderbilt accepts all application fee waiver requests submitted through the Coalition Application and the Common Application."
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/
Teacher evaluations · Required
Value: 2
"Two academic teacher letters of recommendation."
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/
Counselor recommendation · Required
"Counselor letter of recommendation."
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/
Personal essay · Required
Common Application or Coalition (powered by Scoir) personal essay is required.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/
Supplemental essays · Required
One required Vanderbilt short-answer response (approximately 250 words).
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/
Secondary school report · Required
"Official high school transcript" submitted by the school.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/
English proficiency · Required
Required for international applicants whose first language or language of instruction is not English; not required for applicants whose first language or language of instruction is English.
https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/
CSS Profile · Required
CSS Profile required to be considered for Vanderbilt need-based (institutional) scholarships. CSS Profile school code 1871.
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/undergraduate/
FAFSA · Required
FAFSA required to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. FAFSA school code 003535.
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/undergraduate/

Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/testing-policies/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/decision-plans.php

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/first-year-process/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/undergraduate/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/personal-essay-and-short-answer-prompts/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/about/history/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports financial_aid_url

https://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?221999

Retrieved 2026-06-10