Situated on a beautiful 340-acre campus in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University consists of 10 schools, four of which offer undergraduate programs. The combination of excellent academic rigor, a vibrant campus life, and an urban location attracts exceptionally talented students from around the world and consistently earns the university a top 20 ranking among the "Best National Universities" from U.S. News & World Report. Vanderbilt's 7,000 undergraduate and 6,600 graduate students, coming from more than 95 countries, are continuously immersed in the multidisciplinary research and teaching that are at the heart of the campus community.
At Vanderbilt, 61% of undergraduates participate in academic research, and with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, students have easy access to faculty. Vanderbilt students take full advantage of student life by engaging in more than 475 student organizations, a full range of study abroad programs, Division I athletics, and a variety of exciting internship opportunities. The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students and financial aid awards do not include loans.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
2305 West End Av
Nashville, TN 37203
Experience College Life
The Wond'ry
Student Recreation Center
Student Life Center
Sarratt Student Center
Grand Ole Opry; The Ryman; Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Titans Football; Predators Ice Hockey
Percy Priest Lake; Cheekwood Botanical Garden
The Parthenon; Frist Center for Visual Arts
Campus Tours
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
6153222561
Dates: Year-round
Times: 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Vanderbilt seeks students with high standards of scholarship and character who are significantly engaged in their communities, often serving in leadership roles. Admission is based on a holistic review of academic and personal credentials. The application review includes strength of high school transcript, standardized test results, if submitted (either the ACT or SAT), personal essays, official recommendations, and extracurricular engagement. ACT or SAT exams are not required for students applying to enter the university for fall 2023 or 2024. The typical applicant will have completed 20 or more units in a challenging high school curriculum, including at least two years of a foreign language. School of Engineering applicants should complete at least four units of mathematics including calculus and physics.
Students may apply to Vanderbilt through Early Decision I or II, or Regular Decision. Early Decision I and II are binding decision plans, and may be appropriate for students who are committed to attending Vanderbilt if they are admitted. The application deadline is November 1 for Early Decision I and January 1 for Early Decision II; admissions decisions are available by mid-December for Early Decision I and by mid-February for Early Decision II. Regular Decision applications are due January 1 and admissions decisions are available by late March.
To apply, applicants must submit all required parts of the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application, including two academic teacher letters of recommendation, a counselor letter of recommendation, an official high school transcript, and a $50 application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students. In addition to completing standard application materials, applicants to the Blair School of Music must submit a Blair School of Music Application, which includes a prescreening video. Selected applicants will be invited to audition in person.
Campus visits are encouraged, although a student's demonstrated interest in Vanderbilt is not considered in admissions decisions. Students should visit vu.edu/visit to learn about information sessions, campus tours, and other visit opportunities and a variety of virtual sessions. Take a virtual tour at vu.edu/virtualtour. Vanderbilt does not conduct on-campus interviews, but first-year applicants may participate in the optional alumni interviewing program.
Overview
GPA Breakdown
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Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — January 1
Regular — January 1
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Class Rank
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
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Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
College of Arts and Science
The College of Arts and Science is a small liberal arts college at the heart of a large, cutting-edge research university. The Arts and Science curriculum emphasizes both breadth and depth, and provides students with the flexibility to explore and find their passion. The college offers more than 60 unique majors and minors across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and in a number of interdisciplinary areas.
Blair School of Music
The beauty of the Blair School of Music is the unparalleled opportunity to pursue conservatoryquality music training within a full liberal arts curriculum. This unique combination prepares students for the ever-changing demands of the music world. Internationally renowned musicians and scholars teach courses on topics ranging from Music and the Environment and Exploring the Film Soundtrack, to Music, Identity, and Diversity. Peabody College
Peabody students study people—how they develop, how they learn, how they think, and how they lead. Regardless of what path a student takes, hands-on, real-world learning experiences are an essential part of the Peabody curriculum. Peabody graduates succeed in a variety of careers—teaching, education administration, public policy, health care, business, law, research, and government. Peabody College is a respected voice in education, and faculty offer expertise that is highly sought by teachers and administrators from around the world.
School of Engineering
The School of Engineering fosters a dynamic, close-knit learning and research environment. Students work alongside faculty in engineering research centers and laboratories on projects ranging from robotics and nanoscale materials to technology-guided surgery and environmental management. Hands-on introduction to engineering courses, undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, and a senior design experience in which interdisciplinary teams work on industry-sponsored projects throughout the year help set Vanderbilt engineering students apart.
Majors and Degrees Offered
African American and Diaspora Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Architecture and the Built Environment; Art; Asian Studies; Biochemistry and Chemical Biology; Biological Sciences; Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Child Development; Child Studies; Cinema and Media Arts; Civil Engineering; Classical and Mediterranean Studies; Climate Studies; Cognitive Studies; Communication of Science and Technology; Communication Studies; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology; Economics; Economics and History; Electrical Engineering; Elementary Education; Engineering Science; English; Environmental Sociology; European Studies; European Studies: Russia and Eastern Europe; French; French and European Studies; Gender and Sexuality Studies; German and European Studies; German Studies; History; History of Art; Human and Organizational Development; Italian and European Studies; Jazz Studies; Jewish Studies; Latin American Studies; Latino and Latina Studies; Law, History, and Society; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Medicine, Health, and Society; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Music Composition; Music Integrated Studies; Music Performance; Musical Arts; Neuroscience; Philosophy; Physics; Political Science; Psychology; Public Policy Studies; Religious Studies; Russian Studies; Secondary Education; Sociology; Spanish; Spanish and European Studies; Spanish and Portuguese; Special Education; Theatre
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
European Studies/Civilization.
German Studies.
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies.
Latin American Studies.
Women's Studies.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Molecular Biology.
Neuroscience.
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COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
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EDUCATION.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
Education, General.
Education, Other.
Elementary Education and Teaching.
Foreign Language Teacher Education.
Music Teacher Education.
Secondary Education and Teaching.
Special Education and Teaching, General.
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels.
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ENGINEERING.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Civil Engineering, General.
Computer Engineering, General.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Science.
Mechanical Engineering.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
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FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
Child Development.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
German Language and Literature.
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
History, Other.
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LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.
Legal Studies, General.
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LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
General Studies.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Ancient Studies/Civilization.
Cognitive Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Science, Technology and Society.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Jewish/Judaic Studies.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Developmental and Child Psychology.
Psychology, General.
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PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Public Policy Analysis, General.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, General.
Sociology.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Brass Instruments.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Keyboard Instruments.
Music Theory and Composition.
Music, General.
Music, Other.
Percussion Instruments.
Stringed Instruments.
Voice and Opera.
Woodwind Instruments.
Students Say
Degrees
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
Alumni Network
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Students Say
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Cost of Attendance
Academic year 2021-2022
Tuition | $54,840 |
Housing | $12,000 |
Meals | $6,376 |
Books and supplies | $1,194 |
Student services fee | $1,430 |
Student health fee | $696 |
Personal expenses | $3,002 |
Travel Allowance | Varies |
Estimated Total | $79,538 |
Financial Aid
Vanderbilt makes three commitments to cultivate a community of talented intellectuals from all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
— 1 For U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, your ability to pay is not part of the admission decision.
— 2 We meet 100% of your family's demonstrated financial need.
— 3 Your financial aid will not include loans.
Our financial aid program does not involve income bands or cutoffs that limit eligibility.
Dates
Required Forms
Forms CSSProfile
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Need-Based United Negro College Fund
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Vanderbilt undergraduates come from all 50 states and 52 countries, 51% are female, 49% are male, 41.0% are minority students and 8.8% are international students.
Vanderbilt is recognized for an active campus life, where students balance their academic lives with enriching experiences outside the classroom. In addition to finding community among the university's many identity centers, students can participate in 475+ student-run organizations, including pre-professional, cultural, religious, political, recreational, and social clubs. Elected representatives of Vanderbilt Student Government work in conjunction with other student leaders and faculty to bring noted speakers, events, and musicians to campus. Vanderbilt also has a thriving college athletics program. A founding member of the SEC, Vanderbilt has 16 Division I teams that have won four national championships and 30 individual and team league championships since 2000.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Vanderbilt offers a park-like campus located in the heart of Nashville, giving students access to the best of both worlds–an arboretum-like campus to call home surrounded by a vibrant city filled with live music, food, and exciting events.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Vanderbilt University is located 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Nashville on a 340-acre, park-like campus that was designated an official arboretum in 1988. The university shares a name with and enjoys close collaboration with the separate, nonprofit Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The university comprises 178 buildings, including the Jean and Alexander Heard Library, home to over 8 million items. All first-year students live on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, a living-learning community for first-year students. After spending the first year on The Ingram Commons, students can apply to live in one of our distinctive residential colleges. With a faculty head of college as its intellectual leader, each college offers a robust array of programs, spaces, and relationships. Vanderbilt continues to add to its growing residential college system and plans to open two additional residential colleges by 2023.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Nashville boasts two nicknames: Music City, for its historic ties to the music industry and the current plethora of recording studios and music venues; and Athens of the South, because the city is home to more than 15 colleges and universities. Tennessee's capital is one of America's most dynamic cities, with attractions that include symphony, opera, ballet and theater performance groups; professional American football, hockey, soccer and baseball teams; and a wide assortment of restaurants, shopping, art galleries and museums. Considered one of America's best big cities for jobs, Nashville offers an array of employment in the tech, health care, finance, publishing and entertainment industries. Urban parks and greenway systems, as well as nearby lakes and rivers, provide ample opportunity for outdoor recreation.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Male
Frat Sorority
Theme Housing
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Tennis
Bowling
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Student Services
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Tennessee State University
Sustainability
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2022.
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/