Vanderbilt University acceptance rate
Vanderbilt University admitted 5.4% of first-year applicants for fall 2025. Of 48,196 students who applied, 2,593 got in.
- 48,196applied
- 2,593admitted
- 1,635enrolled
- 63%of admitted students enrolled (yield)
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Vanderbilt University, Common Data Set 2025–26, section C1. Checked October 30, 2026.
How this compares with the federal figure
The Department of Education's College Scorecard still shows fall 2024, the latest year federal data covers. The college's own report is a year newer.
| Entering class | Acceptance rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 5.4% | Common Data Set 2025–26 |
| Fall 2024 | 5.9% | College Scorecard (IPEDS 2024–25) |
Admission got harder by 0.5 percentage points in one year.
Acceptance rate by residency
Vanderbilt University reports applicants and admits separately for in-state, out-of-state and international students.
| Tennessee residents | 10.4% | |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-state | 5.3% | |
| International | 4.0% |
Computed from the residency breakdown in section C1 of the Common Data Set 2025–26.
Early decision and early action
Vanderbilt University offers binding early decision in two rounds. It does not offer early action.
| Plan | Apply by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | December 15 |
| Early Decision II | January 1 | Not stated |
| Regular decision | January 1 | April 1 |
For fall 2025, 6,202 students applied early decision and 874 were admitted, a rate of 14.1%. Everyone else was admitted at about 4.1%. Early decision applicants commit to enroll if admitted, so compare the two rates with care.
SAT and ACT scores
Test scores are optional and considered if you send them. In fall 2025, 24% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores, so these ranges describe only those students.
The middle 50% of enrolled students who submitted the SAT scored between 1510 and 1560.
25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of enrolled first-years, fall 2025. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, section C9. The green bar is the middle 50% and the dark tick is the median.
High school GPA
The average high school GPA of enrolled first-years was 3.90. 88% had a 3.75 or higher.
| 4.0 | 31.6% | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75-3.99 | 56.6% | |
| 3.50-3.74 | 9.1% | |
| 3.25-3.49 | 1.4% | |
| 3.00-3.24 | 0.6% | |
| Below 3.00 | 0.7% |
Share of enrolled first-years in each GPA range, fall 2025. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, sections C11–C12.
Check your chances
Enter your GPA and test scores to see whether Vanderbilt is a reach, a target or a likely school for you.
Check my chances at VanderbiltApplication fee and cost
Application fee: $50 (can be waived for financial need).
Tuition and fees for 2025–26 are $71,226; the average net price after grants was $15,497 in 2024–25. See Vanderbilt's full cost and net price by family income.
Common questions
What is the Vanderbilt acceptance rate?
5.4% for students entering in fall 2025. The college admitted 2,593 of 48,196 first-year applicants, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. The federal figure for fall 2024 was 5.9%.
Is Vanderbilt test-optional?
Yes. Vanderbilt University does not require the SAT or ACT, but considers scores if you send them. In fall 2025, 24% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores.
What GPA do you need for Vanderbilt?
There is no published minimum. The average high school GPA of enrolled first-years in fall 2025 was 3.90, and 88% had a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Does early decision help at Vanderbilt?
Early decision applicants were admitted at 14.1% (874 of 6,202), compared with about 4.1% for everyone else. Early decision is binding and draws a different group of applicants, so the gap does not measure the advantage on its own.
Sources
- Vanderbilt University, Common Data Set 2025–26 (from the college's institutional research office), checked October 30, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, release of October 15, 2026.
Each figure was copied from the source document and checked by hand. If you spot an error, tell us and we'll correct it. Read how we check the data.