Vanderbilt University

Summary

Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,794, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 333 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Vanderbilt University's ranking in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 17. Its tuition and fees are $39,932 (2010-11).

Vanderbilt University offers a wide range of student activities. Located in Nashville, or Music City, there are plenty of off-campus options for dining, shopping, music, and entertainment. On campus, Greek organizations play a big role in social life, with approximately 40 percent of students affiliated with Greek life. All undergraduate students at Vanderbilt are required to live on campus, and freshmen live together in The Commons, which has six LEED certified green dorms. The Commodores, named for Vanderbilt founder "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, have teams in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference. About 30 percent of students take advantage of Vanderbilt’s study abroad programs, which are offered in more than 25 countries around the world.

Vanderbilt is comprised of 10 schools and colleges covering disciplines from the humanities to music to engineering. Among its graduate programs are the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development, which also offers undergraduate programs, and the highly ranked Owen Graduate School of Management, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing. Vanderbilt is also well known for its undergraduate Blair School of Music, and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center is ranked one of the best in the nation. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, and novelist James Patterson all received degrees from Vanderbilt.

School mission (as provided by the school):

Comprised of four undergraduate schools and six graduate programs, Vanderbilt University offers college students a world-class liberal arts education that... Read More

Applying

When applying to Vanderbilt University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 3, and the early decision deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 3. The application fee at Vanderbilt University is $50. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 20.1 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	most selective
Fall 2009 acceptance rate	20%
Application deadline	January 3
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	January 3

More About Applying

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Vanderbilt University is 8:1, and the school has 64.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Vanderbilt University include: Engineering; Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics; Multi/interdisciplinary studies; Psychology; and Social sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96.2 percent.

Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio	8:1
4-year graduation rate	84% - High
Five most popular majors for 2009 graduates
Engineering 13% Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics 6% Multi/interdisciplinary studies 7% Psychology 6% Social sciences 31%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

Vanderbilt University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,794, with a gender distribution of 48.0 percent male students and 52.0 percent female students. 90.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 10.0 percent of students live off campus. Vanderbilt University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at Vanderbilt University.

Total enrollment	12,506
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA I

More About Student Life

Campus Info & Services

Vanderbilt University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Vanderbilt University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). 35 percent of students have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Vanderbilt University.

Students who have cars on campus	35% - Low
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	No

More About Campus Info & Services

Paying for School

At Vanderbilt University, 45.9 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $34,715.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

Tuition and fees	$39,932 (2010-11)
Room and board	$13,068 (2010-11) - High
Financial aid statistics

More About Paying for School

Student Reviews Ratings data provided by Unigo

The campus is stunning, and the students take full advantage. At the first hints of spring, students can be seen lying on the lawns and playing Frisbee. Last year, students set up a giant slip-and-slide on the hill of Peabody campus. ItÕs all straight out of one of those movies about college. An unusual amount of pastels can be seen on campus; the boys in pastel polos, and the girls often wearing pink. There is somewhat of an overemphasis on fraternities for nighttime entertainment, particularly when one is under 21 and cannot go to the downtown bars. There are surprisingly rigid social... Read More

Lauren Junior

I love the work/life balance at Vanderbilt. Students are really serious about their academics (in general) but they are definitely willing to go out hard thursday nights and the rest of the weekend. If I could change one thing, it would be the prevalence of sororities on campus. I know that many poeple have had great experiences, but I haven't, and I feel stuck as if I have stay in my sorority. For those who do not have a lot of money, it's a huge financial committment, and while that's not an issue for me, I don't really like paying $1000 a semester for something I don't like. I think the school... Read More

Jacqueline Junior

The best thing about Vanderbilt is the charismatic community, and the balance between work and play. I would change the housing situation. I love being a Peabody student because I get the priviledge of small individualized attention, but also get to take various Arts and Science classes as well. People are always very impressed that I go to Vanderbilt as the school as a very prestigious reputation. I spend most of my time during the day in between Peabody and Central campuses - I go to the library a lot or eat lunch at the Cafe's in between breaks. The rest of my time I typically spend around... Read More