Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Vanderbilt University is a private national university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is extremely selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Vanderbilt University is in the top 5% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $79,872 10 years after enrolling, 1st in Tennessee, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Vanderbilt University bachelor students earn 29% more than the national average. Vanderbilt University is ranked 2nd in Tennessee.
Vanderbilt University’s median net annual cost of $19,970 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Vanderbilt University sorted by number of graduates - Social Sciences, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Economics, Computer Science, Neurobiology & Neurosciences, Poli Sci/Government - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$19,970
Average years to graduate
4.1
Mathematics
Rank: #9
Economic score: 0.63
Chemical Engineering
Rank: #19
Economic score: 1.15
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Rank: #14
Economic score: 1.26
Engineering Science.
Rank: #2
Economic score: 1.38
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #78
Economic score: 1.39
Psychology
Rank: #20
Economic score: 2.68
Education
Rank: #17
Economic score: 3.78
English Language & Lit
Rank: #86
Economic score: 4.79
History
Rank: #236
Economic score: 8.3
Music
Rank: #145
Economic score: 82.84
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Vanderbilt University - Registered Nursing, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Educ. Administration, Marketing, Theological Studies - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Public Health
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.21
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #16
Economic score: 0.27
HR Management
Rank: #27
Economic score: 0.33
Accounting
Rank: #236
Economic score: 0.47
Public Policy Analysis
Rank: #16
Economic score: 0.64
Special Education
Rank: #161
Economic score: 0.66
Education
Rank: #139
Economic score: 1.02
Student Counseling
Rank: #241
Economic score: 1.29
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #225
Economic score: 1.54
Human Development & Family
Rank: #28
Economic score: 1.71
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 93% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Vanderbilt University is 36% higher than the state average, and 25% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Vanderbilt University, Pell Grant recipients represent 16% of the measured graduating class, 19% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Vanderbilt University graduates within 4.2 years.
Vanderbilt University is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Vanderbilt University’s economic mobility score of 15.79 is calculated by adjusting the 0.17 economic score of lower-income students by the 16% pell grant recipients within the student body. Vanderbilt University’s EMS of 15.79 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Vanderbilt University pays $19,970 a year, $56,074 less than the $76,044 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $19,970
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Vanderbilt University, 64% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $19,970 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 10% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $9,084. This is 44% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,979
Pell grants
$4,693
State grants
$5,760
Institutional grants
$46,541
Vanderbilt University's extremely selective admissions are indicated by their 7% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 47,152 applicants, of which 3,368 were admitted and 1,626 enrolled. Vanderbilt University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
53%
59%
First time
89%
59%
In-state
9%
68%
1st generation
12%
35%
White
42%
52%
Black
11%
14%
Hispanic
10%
15%
Asian
16%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
20%
12%