At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, known for its top-ranked Peabody College of Education and strong programs in medicine, music, and the liberal arts. Its location in Nashville provides unique opportunities in the music and healthcare industries.
Mascot: Commodore
Notable Alumni
Dinah Shore (TV and music icon)•Chris Stapleton (Grammy-winning country artist)•James Patterson (best-selling author)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Safety
Vanderbilt University Police provides 24/7 patrols across the 330-acre campus in partnership with Metro Nashville PD. Motor vehicle theft is the most commonly reported crime.
Vanderbilt sits in Nashville's Midtown/West End area, which is relatively safe with active nightlife and commercial districts. The immediate campus area benefits from university and city police presence.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Location
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