Vanderbilt At A Glance (2023)

Undergraduate Majors

At Vanderbilt, we encourage students to study across disciplines to feed their passions and inspire new ways to address issues and impact the world. Use the find your major tool to explore our majors, minors, and pre-professional programs and discover your own academic path at Vanderbilt.

Find Your Major

Four Schools

At the heart of the Vanderbilt experience are our four undergraduate schools.

• College of Arts and Science
• Blair School of Music
• School of Engineering
• Peabody College of Education and Human Development

Academic Initiatives

• Immersion Vanderbiltcalls for each undergraduate to undertake a mentored immersive experience in and beyond the classroom. The project culminates in the creation of a final piece completed by the student under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Examples of immersive experiences include internships, study away, community engagement and civic involvement.
• Theundergraduate business minor, developed in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, features five fundamental business courses and a range of business-related electives offeredby the four undergraduate schools.
• The Wond’ry is our epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship, designed to build and strengthen creativity across campus, foster innovation in all fields, and forge a stronger “maker” culture at Vanderbilt.
• Our 230,000-square-footEngineering and Science Building contains state-of-the-art facilities where students and faculty collaborate to solve complex societal problems in health care, energy, robotics, and many other areas.

Research

Among the many decisions you are currently facing regarding your college search may be the choice between a top-tier research university and a teaching-focused liberal arts college. At Vanderbilt, you do not have to choose. Vanderbilt students conduct research across academic disciplines regardless of their major field of study.

• 63% of undergraduates participate in research
• Opportunities include university-funded summer research stipends and departmental honors programs
• More than 100 interdisciplinary centers and institutes

The Vanderbilt Living and Learning Experience

The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons is composed of ten houses designed exclusively for first-year students and their faculty heads of house, a dining center, seminar/study rooms, generous public spaces, and endless opportunities for engagement, enrichment, and leadership. Warren College, Moore College, E. Bronson Ingram College, Nicholas S. Zeppos College, and Rothschild College extend the residential college experience through sophomore, junior, and senior years.

Following the first year, many students extend the dynamic living-learning experience of The Commons in upper-division residential colleges including Warren College, Moore College, E. Bronson Ingram College, Nicholas S. Zeppos College, and the new Rothschild College. Other residential options include suite-style, apartment-style, or themed housing. extend the dynamic living-learning experience of The Commons through sophomore, junior, and senior years.

As part of Vanderbilt’s FutureVUinitiative, additional residential colleges for upper-division students are being constructed along West End Avenue.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Total undergraduate racial and ethnic diversity, Fall 2022: 45.3%, including American Indian or Alaska Native 0.4%; Asian American 17.5%; Black/African American 10.4%; Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.3%; Hispanic or Latino 11.0%; Multiracial (non-Hispanic) 5.8%
• International students comprise 10.1% of the undergraduate population, representing 70 countries (Fall 2022)
• Third-highest percentage of black students in first-year class among high-ranking universities,The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, Fall 2021
• One of the top 25 private universities for Jewish students,Hillel’s College Guide, 2021
• Home to the K. C. Potter Center, which houses the Office of LGBTQI Life
• Home to 6 campus identity centers with opportunities to get involved and find connection

Go Dores!

NCAA Division I, Southeastern Conference

Nickname: Commodores (Dores, for short)

MEN’S SPORTS

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Tennis

WOMEN’S SPORTS

• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)

Health and Wellness

Vanderbilt supports student’s physical and emotional well-being through these campus resources:

• Center for Student Wellbeing
• University Counseling Center
• Student Health Center
• Student Care Coordination
• Project Safe Center for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response
• David Williams II Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Getting Involved

More than475 student organizationsincluding:Alternative Spring Break, Asian American Student Association, Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), BhangraDores, Black Student Association, Habitat for Humanity, Manna Project International, Melodores, Middle Eastern Student Association, Momentum Dance Company, Muslim Student Association, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Project Dialogue, South Asian Cultural Exchange (SACE), Spirit of Gold Marching Band, Swingin’ Dores, Vanderbilt College Democrats, Vanderbilt College Republicans, Vanderbilt Hillel, Vanderbilt Off-Broadway, Vandy Taal, Voices of Praise, and many more!

Campus Identity Centers

• Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center
• Student Center for Social Justice and Identity
• University Chaplain and Religious Life
• LGBTQI Life
• Vanderbilt Hillel
• Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center

The Vanderbilt Programming Board
This student-run organization sponsors off-campus trips, novelty programs, speakers, and concerts for the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities. Recent appearances includeColin Powell, Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion, Spike Lee, Stephen A. Smith, Bill Nye, Daveed Diggs, Kendrick Lamar, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Billy Joel.

Nashville

Nashville is a dynamic city full of opportunity and diverse offerings; students consistently cite Nashville as an invaluable part of the Vanderbilt experience.

• Metropolitan population 1.9 million
• A health care, finance, publishing, tech, and entertainment center
• Known as Music City for its more than 20,000 annual live music performances and more than 200 recording studios
• Vanderbilt, located just 1.5 miles from downtown Nashville, is surrounded by an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and live music.

• Learn more about Nashville

Life After Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Career Center offers:

• Coaching for careers, internships, and graduate study
• Career fairs, TREKS, and Industry SLAMS
• Interview preparation
• Connections to thousands of employers and alumni
• Fellowships advising and support

Learn more about the Career Center

Affordability and Access

We meet 100% of every student’s demonstrated financial need, without loans.

Our resolve to make a Vanderbilt education accessible and affordable to all admitted students is stronger than ever. Both ourneed-basedandmerit-basedscholarships reflect our dedication to making a Vanderbilt education possible.

• Learn more

• International Cost and Finances

• Net Price Calculator

Merit Scholarships

Vanderbilt awardsmerit-based scholarshipsto applicants who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and intellectual promise.Three signature scholarships — theIngram Scholars Program, theCornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, and theChancellor’s Scholarship— comprise the majority of Vanderbilt’s merit-based awards. Recipients of these scholarships are guaranteed full-tuition awards for up to eight semesters that include a stipend for research, study abroad, a creative endeavor, or the required Immersion Vanderbilt experience.

Admission to Vanderbilt

Admission is competitive and selective, but, above all, the application process is context-based and holistic. We consider the academic record within the context of the high school as well as leadership and engagement outside the classroom, the application essay, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores (if submitted).

Learn more about applying to Vanderbilt

Fast Facts

Enrollment (Fall 2022)

Undergraduate 7,151
Graduate and professional 6,559
Total 13,710

All Undergraduate (Fall 2022)

Female 52%
Male 48%

First-Year Students Entering Fall 2022

American Indian/Alaska Native 0.7%
Asian American 18.0%
Black/African American 11.0%
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.4%
Hispanic or Latino 11.9%
International 10.4%
Multiracial (non-Hispanic) 6.2%
Not reported3.8%
White 37.6%

ACT Middle 50% 34–35
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Middle 50% 730–770
SAT Mathematics Middle 50% 760–800
National Merit Scholars 185

Academics

Undergraduate colleges & schools 4
Student-to-faculty ratio 8:1
Classes with fewer than 50 students 90%
Female faculty 42%
Minority faculty 20%

Undergraduate Admission (Fall 2022)

First-year applicants 46,377
Admits 3,093
Admit rate 6.7%

Campus Life

Student organizations 475+

Commodore Athletics

Varsity teams 10 women’s, 6 men’s
NCAA championships 5
Club sports 32
Intramural sports leagues 40+

Financial Aid & Scholarships 2022–23

Undergraduates receiving some form of financial assistance 65%
Average financial aid package $65,889

First-Year Student Retention Rate 97%

Students Graduating in 6 Years 93%

FALL 2022 APPLICATIONS

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT

University Rankings

• #6 Learning Communities,U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #21 Best Undergraduate Teaching,U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #17 Service Learning, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #62 - Top 500 World Universities, Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2020
• #1 Their Students Love These Colleges, Princeton Review, 2023
• #2 Happiest Students, Princeton Review, 2023
• #5 Best Student Support and Counseling Services, Princeton Review, 2023
• #7 Top Green Colleges, Princeton Review, 2023
• #5 Most Beautiful Campus, Princeton Review, 2023
• #19 Professors Get High Marks, Princeton Review, 2023
• #6 Best Campus Food, Princeton Review, 2023
• Four-star Rated, Campus Pride Index, 2020
• One of the top 25 Private Schools for Jewish Students, Hillel's College Guide, 2021
• Third-highest percentage of Black students in first-year class among high-ranking universities, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, Fall 2021

Graduate Rankings

• #5 - Graduate Schools of Education — Peabody College, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #13 - Medical Schools: Research, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #17 - Law Schools, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #25 - Graduate Business Schools — Owen Graduate School of Management, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #43 - Graduate Engineering Schools, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #8 - Best Nursing Schools: Master's, U.S. News & World Report, 2023
• #7 - Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice, U.S. News & World Report, 2023

Nashville Rankings

• One of the Top 10 Friendliest Cities in the U.S., Condé Nast Traveler, 2022
• One of the Great American Cities for Creatives, Thrillest, 2022
• #2 College City Gets High Marks,Princeton Review, 2023
• #2 U.S. Cities with the Best Job Market, Wall Street Journal, 2020