Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Vanderbilt admits about 1 in 19 applicants (5.4%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 99% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (5.9% and 5.8%).
$50 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Tennessee applicants were admitted at 10%, applicants from other states at 5.3%, and international applicants at 4.0%.
All applicants in the same class: 5.4%
Of those admitted, 78% from Tennessee enrolled, against 62% from other states and 58% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
63% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
207 admitted from the wait list
Applying early
Early decision: 14% admitted
874 of 6,202 early applicants; 5.4% of all applicants
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Vanderbilt reads a record
, GPA, and class rank are all very important; tests are important. 88% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight. Scores are optional. 24% of first-years sent an SAT and 28% an ACT. Of the 20% whose high school reported a rank, 91% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of math and science (3 of each required). See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
26% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 5.4% of first-year applicants
3,177 applied · 831 admitted · 446 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall.
At least 12 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Recommended
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Decisions are sent by a set date.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within a set number of weeks if admitted later.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2 / 3) | 3 | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 | 3 |
| History | 1 | 1 |
| Academic electives | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 18 | 21 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.90
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.032%
- 3.75–3.9957%
- 3.50–3.749%
- 3.25–3.491%
- 3.00–3.241%
- below 3.01%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.75–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 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% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 0.6% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.1% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
91% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 95% in the top quarter, of the 20% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1535 on the SAT, 365 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (98%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (99%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (97%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (97%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (99%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (95%) scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 24% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 28% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
395 studentssubmitted ACT
453 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)