Vanderbilt University

Getting in is the hard part. Vanderbilt University admitted 5.9% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1500–1570 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Vanderbilt University actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

• Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from vanderbilt.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• What prior experience with and enthusiasm for the field of education will you bring to Vanderbilt? In your response, reflect on why you want to be an educator.

  Up to 300 words

• Vanderbilt University's motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for "dare to grow." In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.

  Up to 250 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from vanderbilt.edu.

The sticker price is about $89,590, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $15,846.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $91,565.

Verified from vanderbilt.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Vanderbilt University test-optional?

For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Vanderbilt University is optional.

How hard is it to get into Vanderbilt University?

Very hard. Vanderbilt University admits 5.9% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1500 to 1570 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

How much does Vanderbilt University cost?

The list price is about $89,590, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $15,846.

Is Vanderbilt University worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $91,565 ten years after enrolling, and 93% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.