More selective than 100% of Tennessee colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
25% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 26% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Vanderbilt University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Vanderbilt University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Vanderbilt University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 730 | 770 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1500 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Vanderbilt University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 6% | 730–770 | 770–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 6% | 740–770 | 770–790 | 34–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Vanderbilt University compared with other Tennessee colleges?
Vanderbilt University has the lowest acceptance rate of 34 Tennessee colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University | 6% | 94% | $15,846 |
| 2 | Fisk University | 37% | 30% | $32,020 |
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 42% | 74% | $18,976 |
| 4 | Rhodes College | 50% | 85% | $28,585 |
| 5 | The University of the South | 57% | 80% | $27,872 |
| 6 | Freed-Hardeman University | 60% | 71% | $21,574 |
| 7 | Bethel University | 60% | 35% | $12,595 |
| 8 | Union University | 60% | 66% | $27,171 |
| 9 | Maryville College | 61% | 50% | $19,360 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Tennessee colleges →
Who enrolls at Vanderbilt University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Vanderbilt University admissions questions
What is the Vanderbilt University acceptance rate?
Vanderbilt University accepts 6% of applicants, about 1 in 17. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,844 of 45,313 applicants were admitted.
Does Vanderbilt University require the SAT or ACT?
Vanderbilt University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 25% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 26% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Vanderbilt University?
The middle 50% of Vanderbilt University enrolled first-year students scored 1500–1570 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Vanderbilt University?
57% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,622 of 2,844).
Is Vanderbilt University getting harder to get into?
Vanderbilt University accepted 6% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 6% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Vanderbilt University overview