Vanderbilt University Review 2015

Vanderbilt University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,851, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 333 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Vanderbilt University's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $43,838 (2014-15).

Vanderbilt University offers a wide range of student activities. Located in Nashville, or Music City, there are plenty of off-campus options for dining, shopping, music and entertainment. On campus, Greek organizations play a big role in social life, with approximately 40 percent of students affiliated with Greek life. All undergraduate students at Vanderbilt are required to live on campus, and freshmen live together in The Commons, which has six LEED certified green dorms. The Commodores, named for Vanderbilt founder "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, have teams in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference. About 35 percent of students take advantage of Vanderbilt’s study abroad programs, which are offered in more than 35 countries.

Vanderbilt is comprised of 10 schools and colleges covering disciplines from the humanities to music to engineering. Among its graduate programs are the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development, which also offers undergraduate programs, and the highly ranked Owen Graduate School of Management, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Vanderbilt is also well known for its undergraduate Blair School of Music, and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center is ranked one of the best in the nation. Former chairman and CEO of Time Inc. Ann Moore, NFL quarterback Jay Cutler and novelist James Patterson all received degrees from Vanderbilt.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Vanderbilt University includes four undergraduate schools and six graduate and professional schools situated on a park-like 330-acre campus located in... Read More

General Information

School type	private, coed college
Year founded	1873
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	urban
2014 Endowment	$4,046,250,000

Applying

When applying to Vanderbilt University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 1, and the early decision deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 1. The application fee at Vanderbilt University is $50. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 13.1 percent.

Selectivity	most selective
Fall 2014 acceptance rate	13.1%
Application deadline	January 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	January 1

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Vanderbilt University is 8:1, and the school has 66 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Vanderbilt University include: Economics, General; Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other; Social Sciences, General; Mathematics, General; and Political Science and Government, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96.5 percent.

Class sizes
Classes with fewer than 20 students (66%) 66.0% 20-49 (24.9%) 24.9% 50 or more (9.1%) 9.1%
Student-faculty ratio	8:1
4-year graduation rate	88%
Five most popular majors for 2014 graduates
Economics, General 11% Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 9% Social Sciences, General 9% Mathematics, General 5% Political Science and Government, General 5%

Student Life

Vanderbilt University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,851, with a gender distribution of 49.9 percent male students and 50.1 percent female students. At this school, 95 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 5.3 percent of students live off campus. Vanderbilt University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

Total enrollment	12,686
Student gender distribution
Male (49.9%) 49.9% Female (50.1%) 50.1%
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
In fraternity (32%) 32.0% Independent (68%) 68.0%
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
In sorority (54%) 54.0% Independent (46%) 46.0%
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA I

Campus Services

Vanderbilt University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Vanderbilt University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Vanderbilt University.

Students who have cars on campus	N/A
Health insurance offered	Yes

Cost and Financial Aid

At Vanderbilt University, 48.7 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $39,953.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.

Tuition and fees	$43,838 (2014-15)
Room and board	$14,382 (2014-15)
Financial aid statistics
Applied for need-based aid (55.6%) 55.6% Need was fully met (99.2%) 99.2% Received need-based financial aid (48.7%) 48.7% Received need-based self-help aid (23.5%) 23.5% Average percent of need met (100%) 100.0%