As a Selective Achievers institution, Vanderbilt combines highly selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation outcomes. Graduates earn $5,673 beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels well below peer institutions, creating outstanding long-term financial positioning.
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's outstanding long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average tier performance, reflecting competitive costs and debt management relative to outcomes achieved
With strong tier performance, indicating well above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to institutional selectivity
With strong tier performance, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisVanderbilt delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to educational investment. Graduates earn a median of $91,565 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 97.0th percentile nationally and representing among the highest earnings we track.
Earnings range from $59,554 at the 25th percentile to $138,460 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across diverse career paths. The institution generates $5,673 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 75.8th percentile nationally and demonstrating well above average performance relative to student demographics and program mix.
Students seeking prestigious education with strong career outcomes who can navigate highly selective admissions. Particularly suited for academically exceptional students interested in research, economics, engineering, or computer science.
The selective admissions environment serves students who thrive in competitive academic settings while benefiting from extensive financial aid.
Vanderbilt admits approximately 6.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 16 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Vanderbilt among the most selective universities in the United States, within the Most Selective category of institutions with acceptance rates below 10%.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Vanderbilt's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private research universities, Vanderbilt's acceptance rate falls at the more selective end of the spectrum.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Vanderbilt's published cost of attendance reaches $84,412 per year, comprising $63,946 in tuition, $21,054 for room and board, and $1,194 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $19,040 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $65,372 through the university's comprehensive aid programs.
This net price falls $8,103 below the peer median of $27,143, indicating Vanderbilt's commitment to affordability despite its premium sticker price. The university's financial aid effectively transforms a high-cost institution into one with competitive net pricing for most families.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $5,797 for the lowest-income families to $42,754 for the highest-income bracket, demonstrating targeted aid distribution that prioritizes need-based assistance. This pricing structure enables Vanderbilt to maintain accessibility across diverse economic backgrounds while supporting its educational mission through comprehensive financial aid.
The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost reflects the university's policy of meeting full demonstrated need and providing merit-based assistance.
Computer Science.
147 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
121 graduates
Applied Economics.
257 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
41 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
53 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
George Washington University Higher acceptance rate (37.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 44% | $90,873 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Vanderbilt University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/vanderbilt-university/analysis.
Exceptional return on investment nationally
Vanderbilt University ranks #68 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with return performance at the 98.3rd percentile and tier classification as exceptional. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 6.3% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Vanderbilt enrolls 18.5% Pell-eligible students and 12.2% first-generation students, placing it below typical access levels but within range for highly selective institutions. Graduates earn $5,673 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 75.8th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $91,565 ten years after enrollment, placing Vanderbilt in the 97.0th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $63,066, graduates earn $28,499 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions, controlled access, and exceptional economic outcomes places Vanderbilt within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation results. The university demonstrates top-tier performance in return on investment while maintaining accessibility through generous financial aid for admitted students.
This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with near-perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would excel at Vanderbilt do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spaces.
Given these odds, students considering Vanderbilt should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Vanderbilt as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, as admission rates this low introduce substantial uncertainty even for the most prepared applicants.
Vanderbilt graduates demonstrate strong earnings growth and exceptional long-term outcomes. Median earnings rise from $73,909 six years after enrollment to $84,542 at eight years and $91,565 at ten years, representing 23.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect consistent trajectory improvement as graduates advance in their careers. Results are based on a ten-year cohort of 802 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures and representing outcomes across the university's diverse academic programs.
Graduates earn $5,673 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Vanderbilt in the 75.8th percentile for earnings uplift and demonstrating well above average performance. Low-income graduates earn $84,800, ranking at the top 5% nationally and indicating exceptional mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $59,554 at the 25th percentile to $138,460 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and career trajectory differences. Approximately 23.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
Compared to the peer median of $63,066, Vanderbilt graduates earn $28,499 more annually, demonstrating substantial earnings advantage over similar institutions. This earnings performance contributes to Vanderbilt's exceptional return index ranking at the 98.3rd percentile nationally.
Vanderbilt offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Computer Science ranks #13 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, producing 147 graduates with median earnings of $164,139 and a value score of 93.4, representing exceptional return on investment.
Applied Economics ranks #19 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 257 students with median earnings of $104,258 and strong value performance. Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods ranks #1 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 227 students with median earnings of $80,320 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Algebra and Number Theory ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, with 121 graduates earning $125,955 and a value score of 99.5. Neuroanatomy ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 100 students with median earnings of $78,554 and a value score of 98.5.
Multiple programs hold #1 rankings in Tennessee across diverse fields, reflecting Vanderbilt's academic leadership within the state. The combination of high national rankings, strong earnings outcomes, and excellent value scores demonstrates program quality across disciplines.
Lafayette College Higher acceptance rate (25.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 31% | $91,410 | Compare |
George Washington University Same region with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | DC | 44% | $90,873 | Compare |
Duke University Same region with similar earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | NC | 7% | $97,800 | Compare |
Columbia University In The City Of New York Similar admission rate (2 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (3 point difference) with similar program focus | NY | 4% | $102,491 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yale University Similar quality tier (#67 ranked) | CT | 5% | $100,533 | #67 | Compare |
University Of Southern California Similar quality tier (#74 ranked) | CA | 10% | $92,498 | #74 | Compare |
University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#80 ranked) | PA | 6% | $111,371 | #80 | Compare |
Cornell University Similar quality tier (#62 ranked) | NY | 8% | $104,043 | #62 | Compare |
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#60 ranked) | MA | 5% | $143,372 | #60 | Compare |
