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
Campus Experience
Vanderbilt combines Southern social culture with elite academics, and Nashville's honky-tonks and live music scene give students an off-campus playground that most colleges can only dream of. Greek life is prominent and shapes the party scene, particularly for freshmen. The vibe skews preppy and social — if you want a top-20 school where the student body actually goes out on weeknights, this is it.
A nationally designated arboretum with 190+ tree species, stately Collegiate Gothic and Romanesque buildings, and Kirkland Hall's iconic tower create a park-like oasis in the heart of Nashville.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
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.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Most weekdays, select Saturdays
Duration: 30-minute info session + 90-110 minute student-led campus tour
Registration opens 6-8 weeks before visit dates. Must register -- don't book non-refundable travel until confirmed. Tour covers residential halls, academic facilities, The Commons Center, and the 330-acre campus. Office at 2305 West End Avenue.
Book a TourSelf-guided tour with downloadable materials and virtual tour with 20+ stops, embedded videos, and 360-degree photos.
Tour ResourcesMarch-April (magnolias blooming, campus arboretum at its best, Nashville warming up) or September-October (football season, comfortable temperatures). Avoid July-August (Nashville is brutally hot and humid, 95°F+). Commodore Quake (Homecoming concert) in fall is a big event. Nashville's CMA Fest (June) and New Year's Eve are fun but unrelated to campus life.
25th Avenue Garage (2401 Highland Ave): $9/hour via ParkMobile, 8-hour sessions available. Other lots have a 4-hour limit. From BNA airport (~15 min): I-40 West to exit 209B (Demonbreun St). Rideshare from BNA costs ~$15-25. Nashville has limited public transit; WeGo buses serve campus but a car or rideshare is more practical. The campus itself is very walkable.
Location
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