10-yr median earnings
$91,565
Federal aid recipients only
Private Nonprofit · Nashville, Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private nonprofit institution in Nashville, Tennessee. as a private nonprofit, published Scorecard outcomes cover federal-aid recipients at this campus — endowment and sticker price sit outside those cohort fields.
- $91,565
- 10-yr median earnings
- 5.9%
- Acceptance rate
- $15,846
- Avg net price / yr
- 93.1%
- 150%-time completion
The verdict
Vanderbilt University pairs top-5% former-student earnings with a highly selective admit.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 2%
- former-student earnings, US
- 5.9%
- acceptance rate
- 93.1%
- 150%-time completion
- +24%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
City: Large
Carnegie: R1
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this Vanderbilt University profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
A-
College Value Score
81/100
Vanderbilt University
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings A+
$91,565
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price C
$15,846
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate A+
93.1%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt D
$14,000
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment A+
86.0%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention A+
96.3%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$15,846
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
93.1%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 93.1%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - Vanderbilt University vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How Vanderbilt University ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
Vanderbilt University: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$91,565 Top 2% higher than 98% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | Vanderbilt University | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $91,565 | #93 of 5103 | 98th |
| Average net price | $15,846 | #2254 of 5020 | 55th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 93.1% | #123 of 4858 | 97th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,208 | #523 of 5462 | 90th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
7,208
Undergraduate enrollment
5.9%
Acceptance rate
1,549
SAT average
93.1%
150%-time completion
$91,565
10-yr median earnings
96.3%
First-year retention
How Vanderbilt University ranks in Tennessee
State rank among 120 reporting Tennessee colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | Vanderbilt University | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $91,565 | #1 of 120 | 99th |
| Average net price | $15,846 | #68 of 124 | 45th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 93.1% | #1 of 117 | 99th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,208 | #9 of 130 | 93rd |
Highest former-student earnings in Tennessee
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt UniversityThis school | $91,565 | $15,846 |
| 2 | Baptist Health Sciences University | $72,529 | $11,212 |
| 3 | Rhodes College | $66,651 | $28,585 |
| 4 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | $66,318 | - |
| 5 | Jersey College - Cleveland | $66,087 | - |
| 6 | Jersey College - Knoxville | $66,087 | - |
| 7 | The University of the South | $64,911 | $27,872 |
| 8 | Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting | $62,978 | - |
| 9 | Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus | $61,480 | $27,267 |
| 10 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $60,249 | $18,976 |
| 11 | King University | $59,831 | $22,347 |
| 12 | Cumberland University | $57,687 | $18,759 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 5.9% |
| SAT Average | 1,549 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 770 – 800 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 730 – 770 |
| ACT Average | 35 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 34 – 35 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at Vanderbilt University
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k $3,414
$0 – $30k
$3,414 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k $1,876
$30k – $48k
$1,876 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k $4,498
$48k – $75k
$4,498 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$45,145 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at Vanderbilt University - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $67,498 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $67,498 |
| Average Net Price | $15,846 |
20.2%
Pell Grant Rate
9.6%
Federal Loan Rate
$14,000
Median Debt
$148/mo
Monthly Payment
2013–2023: what Vanderbilt University costs has stayed close to flat
Average net price moved +9.8% over 10 years, from $17,340 to $19,040 in nominal dollars. The median college measured over the same span moved +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $17,3402023 · $19,040
Over the same years, enrollment went +5.1% (6,794 → 7,143 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
52.8%
Female
12.2%
First Generation
Outcomes
96.3%
Retention Rate
$73,909
Median Earnings (6yr)
82.4%
Earning Over $25K
86.0%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 93.1% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 96.3% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $73,909 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $91,565 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 82.4% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 86.0% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $14,000 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $148/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 28 | 2,188 | $95,874 | $160,021 | $14,197 |
| Master's | 22 | 1,384 | $123,607 | $216,406 | $58,300 |
| Doctoral | 6 | 101 | $101,425 | $122,742 | $65,875 |
| First Professional | 4 | 350 | $140,079 | $196,797 | $127,140 |
Top programs at Vanderbilt University by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
$216,406 median earnings
- Medical Clinical Sciences/…
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
$199,064 median earnings
- Finance and Financial Mana…
Finance and Financial Management Services
$198,584 median earnings
- Law
Law
$196,797 median earnings
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$190,365 median earnings
- Health and Medical Adminis…
Health and Medical Administrative Services
$178,361 median earnings
- Public Health
Public Health
$166,705 median earnings
- Computer Science
Computer Science
$160,021 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics | Master's | 142 | $216,406 | $61,500 |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies | Master's | 16 | $199,064 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Master's | 6 | $198,584 | $76,096 |
| Law | First Professional | 178 | $196,797 | $139,857 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's | 153 | $190,365 | $90,787 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Master's | 30 | $178,361 | $78,044 |
| Public Health | Master's | 64 | $166,705 | $53,550 |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's | 205 | $160,021 | $14,500 |
| Mathematics | Bachelor's | 151 | $141,171 | $9,644 |
| Marketing | Master's | 35 | $140,404 | $60,500 |
| Economics | Bachelor's | 251 | $140,337 | $12,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | Master's | 46 | $138,852 | $41,872 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | First Professional | 62 | $133,154 | $68,800 |
| Accounting and Related Services | Master's | 49 | $128,337 | $60,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral | 19 | $122,742 | $65,875 |
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Independent Scorecard matches among reporting colleges — not recommendations from the institution or a counselor.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Private Nonprofit institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Private Nonprofit institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Vanderbilt University? ▼
Vanderbilt University is a private nonprofit institution in Nashville, Tennessee. The acceptance rate is 5.9%. The average SAT score is 1,549. Undergraduate enrollment is 7,208 students.
How much do Vanderbilt University former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at Vanderbilt University who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $91,565 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $73,909.
How much does Vanderbilt University cost? ▼
The average net price at Vanderbilt University is $15,846. In-state tuition is $67,498 and out-of-state tuition is $67,498. Median student debt at graduation is $14,000.
What is the graduation rate at Vanderbilt University? ▼
Vanderbilt University has a 93.1% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 96.3%.
Is Vanderbilt University worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at Vanderbilt University is $14,000, while former students earn a median of $91,565 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 15% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 86.0% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $148.
Sources & methodology
Private-nonprofit profiles emphasize Scorecard cost-after-aid and completion alongside IPEDS Carnegie class. Endowment, gifts, and sticker price are not Scorecard fields on this page.
Figures are the Mar–Jul 2026 federal retrievals. Nonprofit campuses vary widely in aid practice — net price here is the Title-IV-recipient cohort average, not an individual award letter. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from Vanderbilt University
- Compare Vanderbilt University against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in Tennessee side by side.Browse Tennessee
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Nonprofit Scorecard medians describe federal-aid recipients who were working and not enrolled — they are not sticker-price ROI and not advice.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Private-nonprofit profiles compile Scorecard net-price and earnings cohorts with IPEDS structure fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.