VU Description
With impressive resources and outstanding academics, Vanderbilt University is widely considered one of the finest universities in the country. Vanderbilt takes this reputation seriously and works to maintain it. The university features more than 120 centers and institutes for graduate research, and it keeps a low undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio.
Vanderbilt administers its academics through 10 schools. Six of these schools offer graduate degree programs, while the remaining four offer both undergraduate and graduate study. About 130 degree programs are available in total.
Student life at Vanderbilt is active and diverse. There are over 300 student organizations on campus, with numerous opportunities in the arts, athletics, student government and more. Greek life on campus is vibrant, featuring more than 35 fraternities and sororities.
Though tuition at Vanderbilt University is not cheap, the school has recently undergone substantial efforts to reduce student debt. Vanderbilt’s new Expanded Aid Program promises to meet all of a family’s demonstrated need, and eliminates need-based loans from financial aid programs.
Part of the reason for this overhaul is the university’s admissions policy. Vanderbilt’s admissions are need-blind, meaning financial need does not play a role in admissions decisions. All students are welcome to apply to the university, regardless of their financial background.
Quick Facts
Location
Southeast
Setting
Large City Setting
Type
Private
Size
Large (5,000 to 10,000 Undergrad)
Mascot
Commodores
Nicknames
Vandy, VU
Website
On-Campus Housing Available
Yes
In-State Tuition
$38,578
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,578
Selectivity
Most Selective
Enrollment
12,516
VU Students
- Full-Time Undergrad Students
- 6,637
- Freshman Class
- 1,599
- Total Students (Undergrads & Graduate Students)
- 12,516
Undergraduate vs. Graduate
- Undergraduate
- 53%
- Graduate
- 47%
Full-Time vs. Part-time Students
- Full-Time
- 99%
- Part-Time
- 1%
Students Coming From In-State vs. Out-of-State
- In-State
- 13%
- Out-of-State
- 87%
Gender of Students
- Women
- 52%
- Men
- 48%
Ethnic Diversity
- African-American
- 8%
- Asian
- 6%
- Caucasian
- 62%
- Latino
- 4%
- Other
- 20%
Students State Origin
- Tennessee
- 13%
- New York
- 8%
- Illinois
- 7%
- Texas
- 7%
- Georgia
- 6%
- Other
- 59%
International Students
- International
- 8%
- Domestic
- 92%