In 1873, on the heels of the Civil War, "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt gave $1 million to the university that now bears his name, with the hope that it would "contribute to strengthening the ties which should exist between all sections of our common country." Since then, Vanderbilt has consistently enrolled highly talented students and challenged them daily to expand their intellectual horizons in an inclusive environment based on open inquiry and respect. Vanderbilt's comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to education allows students to pursue a wide array of academic and curricular interests outside of their main focus of study, and the university's Opportunity Vanderbilt financial aid program ensures that it is often cited among the country's best values. Consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Vanderbilt is a private research university that features ten schools, four of which have undergraduate programs. Each year, 1,600 first-year students join the university, bringing the total undergraduate population to approximately 6,900 students, more than half of whom collaborate with professors on research across disciplines. The university's 7:1 student-faculty ratio gives students access to faculty members of prominence in every area of academic study. Faculty members provide a challenging, comprehensive education that encourages broad perspectives and critical thinking.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Address
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
2305 West End Av
Nashville, TN 37203
2305 West End Av
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone
6153222561
Email
admissions@vanderbilt.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
The Commons
The Wond'ry
Student Recreation Center
Student Life Center
Sarratt Student Center
The Wond'ry
Student Recreation Center
Student Life Center
Sarratt Student Center
Most Popular Places Off Campus
2nd Avenue/Lower Broadway - Historic/Entertainment District
Grand Ole Opry; The Ryman; Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Titans Football; Predators Ice Hockey
Percy Priest Lake; Cheekwood Botanical Garden
The Parthenon; Frist Center for Visual Arts
Grand Ole Opry; The Ryman; Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Titans Football; Predators Ice Hockey
Percy Priest Lake; Cheekwood Botanical Garden
The Parthenon; Frist Center for Visual Arts
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday; Saturday (Sept.-April)
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
6153222561
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
6153222561
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.
Average Length: 2 hours
Dates: Year-round
Times: 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
No
Information Sessions
Not Available
Times
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Athletic Department
Advance Notice
Other
Contact Email Address for Visit
angela.bess@vanderbilt.edu
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
1-night stay only for seniors
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Nashville International Airport is approximately 10 miles from campus and taxis and rental cars are available. Capitol Limousines also provides service to Vanderbilt and area hotels with a call prior to your arrival (615-883-6777). Greyhound buses serve Nashville, and taxis to campus are available at the bus station.
Driving Instructions to Campus
From the north, take I-65 to I-40 E.; from I-40 take Exit 209B. Turn right on Broadway (U.S. 70 S.). Follow Broadway and veer right to West End Ave. Continue on West End to 23 Ave. Undergraduate Admissions is located on the right. From the east or south, take I-40 W. to Exit 209A. Turn left on Broadway and follow preceding directions from there. From the west, take I-40 E. to Exit 209B. Turn right on Broadway and follow preceding directions from there.
Local Accommodations
Several choices are within walking distance of the university. The most expensive (the special rate for university visitors is at the high end of the moderate range) is Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (2100 West End Ave.; 615-320-1700, or 800-336-3335) which is across the street from campus. At the Hampton Inn (1919 West End Ave.; 615-329-1144 or 800-426-7866), you can get a cheap double room. Rates are a bit higher at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt (2613 West End Ave.; 615-327-4707 or 800-663-4427), which has a pool and fitness room. We like the all-suite Hermitage Hotel (231 6th Ave. North; 615-244-3121 or 800-251-1908), about a 5-minute drive from the university. Built in 1910, the hotel has been beautifully restored, but rates are expensive. The new Homewood Suites (2400 West End; 615-340-8000) has an indoor pool and fitness center.
Save School
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Vanderbilt seeks students with high standards of scholarship and character who are significantly engaged in their community. Admission is based on a holistic review of academic and personal credentials. The typical applicant will have completed 20 or more units in a challenging high school curriculum, including at least two years of a foreign language. School of Engineering applicants should complete at least four units of mathematics including calculus and physics.
Generally, applicants who are admitted to Vanderbilt have exceptional academic credentials and are highly engaged in their communities, often serving in leadership roles. Admissions decisions are based on strength of high school transcript, standardized test results (either the SAT or ACT), personal essays, official recommendations, and extracurricular activities. SAT Subject Tests are not required.
Students may apply to Vanderbilt through Early Decision I or II, or Regular Decision. Early Decision I and II are binding decision plans, and may be appropriate for students who are committed to attending Vanderbilt if they are admitted. The application deadline is November 1 for Early Decision I and January 1 for Early Decision II; admissions decisions are available by mid-December for Early Decision I and by mid-February for Early Decision II. Regular Decision applications are due January 1 and admissions decisions are available by late March.
To apply, applicants must submit official standardized test scores and all required parts of the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application, including two academic teacher letters of recommendation, a counselor letter of recommendation, an official high school transcript, and a $50 application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students. In addition to completing standard application materials, applicants to the Blair School of Music must submit a Blair Acceptd Application, which includes a prescreening video. Selected applicants will be invited to audition in person.
Campus visits are encouraged, although a student's demonstrated interest in Vanderbilt is not considered in admissions decisions. Students should visit vu.edu/visit to learn about group information sessions, campus tours, and half-and full-day visit programs. To visit Vanderbilt without traveling, take the virtual tour at vu.edu/virtualtour. Vanderbilt does not conduct on-campus interviews, but optional alumni interviews are available to first-year applicants in many locations.
Overview
Applicants: 34,313
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average HS GPA: 3.83
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
700 - 760
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
750 - 800
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
33 - 35
Testing Policies
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Requires applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — January 1
Regular — January 1
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Class Rank
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Non-Academic
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
Students apply directly to one of Vanderbilt's four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, or Blair School of Music. In all four schools, honors programs and opportunities for research, independent study, and internships are available. About 30 percent of undergraduate students pursue double majors within or across the four undergraduate schools, and about half add an optional minor. The College of Arts and Science (A&S) offers a wide spectrum of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences along with majors in 50 departments and interdisciplinary areas. The core curriculum, AXLE (Achieving eXcellence in Liberal Education), fosters critical thinking, analytical expertise from diverse perspectives, and effective written and oral communication skills. The Blair School of Music offers the Bachelor of Music degree in composition, integrated studies, integrated studies/teacher education, and performance. Instruction is available in every instrument of the orchestra as well as piano, euphonium, saxophone, and voice. Unlike many schools of music, Blair has no graduate students. The curriculum combines intensive musical training with liberal arts studies. The Blair School also offers music minors and a wide variety of courses, private instruction, and performing organizations for non-majors.
For more than 125 years, the School of Engineering has educated engineers for careers in industry, government, consulting, teaching, and research. In addition to technical courses, each student's program includes a complement of course work in the humanities and social sciences, resulting in a balanced foundation for future achievement. All programs leading to a Bachelor of Engineering degree are ABET-accredited, and students can earn the Bachelor of Science degree while majoring in Computer Science or Engineering Science.
Ranked one of the top eight graduate school of education (according to U.S. News & World Report) for more than twenty consecutive years, Peabody College offers degree programs leading to teacher certification and to careers in other areas of education and human development, including child development, child studies, cognitive studies, and human and organizational development. The degree reflects a strong liberal arts foundation combined with a solid program of pre-professional courses and a multitude of internship and practicum opportunities. All undergraduates must complete requirements in communications, the humanities, mathematics, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. Students gain an abundance of field experiences throughout their four years.
All first-year students entering Vanderbilt in summer or fall 2018 and beyond (and all transfer students entering summer or fall 2019 and beyond) will complete an immersion experience as part of their graduation requirements. Immersion Vanderbilt provides students with the opportunity to pursue their passions and cultivate intellectual interests by calling for each undergraduate to undertake an intensive learning experience in and beyond the classroom, culminating in the creation of a final project. Students will engage in a civic and professional, creative expression, international, or research immersion experience.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Degrees are offered in African American and Diaspora studies; American studies; anthropology; art; Asian studies; biochemistry and chemical biology; biological sciences; biomedical engineering; chemical engineering; chemistry; child development; child studies; cinema and media arts; civil engineering; classical and Mediterranean studies; cognitive studies; communication of science and technology; communication studies; computer engineering; computer science; earth and environmental sciences; ecology, evolution, and organismal biology; economics; economics and history; education (early childhood and elementary, secondary, and special education); electrical engineering; engineering science; English; environmental sociology; European studies; French; French and European studies; German studies; German and European studies; history; history of art; human and organizational development; integrated studies; integrated studies/teacher education; Italian and European studies; Jewish studies; Latin American studies; Latino and Latina Studies; law, history, and society; mathematics; mechanical engineering; medicine, health, and society; molecular and cellular biology; music composition; music performance; neuroscience; philosophy; physics; political science; psychology; public policy studies; religious studies; Russian; Russian, East European, and European studies, sociology; Spanish, Spanish and European studies; Spanish and Portuguese; Spanish, Portuguese, and European studies; theatre; women's and gender studies.
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
7:1
Total Faculty
1,279
with Terminal Degree
1,164
758
Men
521
Women
208
Minority
29
International
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
10 - 19
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
93%
Graduate in 6 years
94%
Majors
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
European Studies/Civilization.
German Studies.
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies.
Latin American Studies.
Women's Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Molecular Biology.
Neuroscience.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
-
EDUCATION.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
Education, General.
Education, Other.
Elementary Education and Teaching.
Foreign Language Teacher Education.
Music Teacher Education.
Secondary Education and Teaching.
Special Education and Teaching, General.
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels.
-
ENGINEERING.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Civil Engineering, General.
Computer Engineering, General.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Science.
Mechanical Engineering.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
Child Development.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
German Language and Literature.
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
History, Other.
-
LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.
Legal Studies, General.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
General Studies.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Ancient Studies/Civilization.
Cognitive Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Science, Technology and Society.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Jewish/Judaic Studies.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physics, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Developmental and Child Psychology.
Psychology, General.
-
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Public Policy Analysis, General.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, General.
Sociology.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Brass Instruments.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Keyboard Instruments.
Music Theory and Composition.
Music, General.
Music, Other.
Percussion Instruments.
Stringed Instruments.
Voice and Opera.
Woodwind Instruments.
Students Say
The word “balance” is much used by students in describing Vanderbilt University, with its “top academics, vibrant social life, student organizations, community service, SEC football, and the city of Nashville” or the “unique balance [that] exists between social life and schoolwork.” Students say this “balance” is why at Vanderbilt you’ll get “an amazing education while having a good time and exploring all your interests along the way.” As one student explains, “Vanderbilt is a place for students who are intelligent, but are more than just book-smart”—“it combines rigorous academics with a great social life.” Another student says, “At Vanderbilt, I could [pursue] my interest in music while majoring in engineering, which was not the case in most other schools.” The school is heavily influenced by the “diverse,” “vibrant” city of Nashville. The “beautiful campus” is “only minutes away from being in the heart of the city,” where there’s a “crazy fun social scene, all with a Southern twist” and people “like being involved.” This correlates well with Vanderbilt students who participate in an “array of extracurriculars” and take advantage of the school’s “amazing community service opportunities” on campus and around Nashville. Within the 430 student organizations on campus, a student is hard-pressed not to find a few organizations that they can relate to. “The professors are engaging and the academics [are] challenging but rewarding.” Professors are “approachable and helpful” and “are really invested in their students and will go out of their way to help them succeed.” Besides the “rigorous but rewarding” academic environment, there are many “opportunities that challenge me beyond the books,” says a student.
Degrees
Bachelor's
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Muhammad Yunus
2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Lamar Alexander
Tenn. Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Sec. of Educati
Roy Blount
Author and humorist
Ann S. Moore
Former President of Time, Inc., People Magazine
Fred Thompson
Former U.S. Senator and actor
Albert Gore
Former Vice President
Dr. Norman Shumway
Heart transplant pioneer
Academic Rating
93/99
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
93%
Graduate in 6 years
94%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Information from PayScale:
Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$63,800
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$118,400
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$65,900
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$124,800
Percent High Job Meaning
49%
Percent STEM
23%
Students Say
Vanderbilt's stellar Career Center does its utmost to help students meet their professional goals and dreams. Right from the beginning, undergrads can meet with a Career Coach assigned to work with their specific major. What's more, the Center makes meeting with said coach incredibly easy; you can get together in person, via Skype, or speak over the phone. Students can also tap into numerous online resources, taking career assessments, searching for internship listings, etc. Additionally, the Career Center sponsors a myriad of events throughout the academic year. For example, the office hosts industry specific “slams.” These operate as fun, casual networking events wherein companies pitch themselves to students in rapid-fire rounds and then set up tables so interested individuals can further the conversation. Of course, students can rest assured that there are more traditional career fairs as well.
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
The estimated costs for 2019-2020 include: tuition, $50,788; housing, $11,044; meals, $5,866; books and supplies, $1,294; student activities and recreation fee, $1,272; personal expenses allowance, $2,874; travel allowance varies; first-year experience fee, $836; new student transcript fee, $100; engineering lab fee*, $800; and engineering laptop allowance*, $1,600 *The engineering laptop allowance and laboratory fee are for engineering students only. First-year engineering students are required to provide their own computer that meets published requirements.
Financial Aid
Through Opportunity Vanderbilt, the university makes three important commitments to ensure that students from many different economic circumstances can enroll as undergraduates at Vanderbilt: the admissions process is need-blind for all U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens; Vanderbilt meets 100 percent of demonstrated need for all admitted students; and Vanderbilt's financial aid packages do not include loans. This initiative does not involve income bands or income cutoffs that limit eligibility. Need-based aid is awarded according to the evaluation of the FAFSA and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.
Vanderbilt also awards approximately 250 merit-based scholarships to select first-year applicants who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and intellectual promise. Three signature scholarships comprise the majority of these merit scholarships: the Ingram Scholarship Program, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, and the Chancellor's Scholarship.
In the 2018/2019 school year, 65 percent of the University's undergraduate students received some type of financial assistance.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Apr 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms CSSProfile
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$49,614
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$49,076
Average Need-Based Loan
$3,429
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
21%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$22,854
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$50,356
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$50,800
Required Fees
$1,270
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,294
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
Transportation for Commuters
On-Campus Room and Board
$16,910
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal and Institutional
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Need-Based United Negro College Fund
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Federal Nursing Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
99/99
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Vanderbilt undergraduates come from all 50 states and 52 countries, 51% are female, 49% are male, 41.0% are minority students and 8.8% are international students. Vanderbilt is recognized for an active campus life, where students balance their academic lives with enriching experiences outside the classroom. Students can select from among 430+ student-run organizations, including pre-professional, cultural, religious, political, recreational, and social clubs. Elected representatives of Vanderbilt Student Government work in conjunction with other student leaders and faculty to bring noted speakers, events, and musicians to campus. Vanderbilt also has a thriving college athletics program. A founding member of the SEC, Vanderbilt has 16 Division I teams that have won four national championships and 30 individual and team league championships since 2000.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
6,861
Foreign Countries Represented
51
Demographics
13.92%
Asian
10.80%
Black
9.97%
Hispanic
45.37%
Caucasian
4.78%
Unknown
8.76%
International
51% female
49% male
90% are out of state
99% are full time
1% are part time
Students Say
Vanderbilt has “a very interesting student body that blends traditional Southern students and culture with very distinct Northern influence,” and students say that “you can find such a diverse group of people here…not just racially or ethnically or economically, but also in personality.” The typical Vandy student is “well-rounded, engaged” and “committed to both learning and to extracurriculars.” There’s an atmosphere of collaboration rather than competition, students say: “People here don’t worry about scoring higher than the person next to them. We’re all in this together.” While some say that “many fit the stereotype of rich, White, and upper class,” most counter that Vanderbilt has “a diverse student body” and “students come from all over, and the freshman experience does a good job making us a united class.”
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Vanderbilt offers a park-like campus located in the heart of downtown Nashville giving you access to the best of both worlds – an arboretum-like campus to call home surrounded by a vibrant city filled with live music, food, and exciting events.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Vanderbilt University is located 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Nashville on a 330-acre, park-like campus that was designated an official arboretum in 1988. The university shares a name with and enjoys close collaboration with the separate, nonprofit Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The university comprises 178 buildings, including the Jean and Alexander Heard Library, home to over 8 million items. All first-year students live on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, a living-learning community for first-year students. Recent additions include Warren and Moore residential colleges, living-learning communities for upperclass students; a 230,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Engineering and Science Building; and a cross-disciplinary creative and makerspace called the Wond'ry, the new campus epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship. The E. Bronson Ingram College, the newest residential college for upperclass students, opened August 2018. The university's planned expansion will bring about the addition of three more residential colleges by 2023.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Study abroad programs allow students to immerse themselves in languages and cultures around the world. More than 120 programs are offered in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, England, France, Israel, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and Spain, among others. Students receive direct credit for courses, and the cost of tuition is usually the same as for study on campus in Nashville. In addition, any scholarships, grants, or loans a student has been awarded apply to Vanderbilt study abroad programs. Students may also work with an adviser to participate in programs sponsored by other universities.
Students also take advantage of internships in many industries located in Nashville, including entertainment, business, health care, government, publishing, and education.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
94%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
99/99
First-Year Students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
91/99
Housing Options
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Dorms Male
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Students Say
“Everyone here knows how to be a student when it’s time to be a student, and a college kid when outside of the classroom.” Students say there’s an “academic environment” but Vandy students “take the work hard/play hard mentality to heart when it comes to weekend activities.” As one student puts it, “Everyone is outgoing and friendly, that’s why we came to the South!” There is “a vibrant Greek [life] community” on campus and students say the social scene is inclusive and interwoven: “It is not unusual for a student to be a tour guide, RA, Fraternity officer, and still kill it in the classroom.” The “beautiful” campus provides the “perfect balance between your classic college campus and big city school” and the students are “passionate, caring, [and] genuine.” Even though “academics are usually at the top of everyone’s lists,” there’s “always so much to do on campus or downtown in Nashville,” with one student adding that it’s also fun to “visit one of the many state parks that are close by, or go to one of the thousands of concerts Nashville has annually.” On the whole, the atmosphere is “friendly and welcoming” and students say their peers are “clearly of high intellect, they are not competitive with each other academically and enjoy other things besides school.”
Special Needs Admissions
Director
Anita Jenious
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
467
Number of Honor Societies
16
Number of Social Sororities
15
Number of Religious Organizations
14
30% join a fraternity
48% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division I
Men's Sports (Commodores)
6 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Tennis
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Tennis
Women's Sports (Commodores)
9 Sports
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Bowling
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Student Services
Day Care
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Tennessee State University
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Tennessee State University
Sustainability
Vanderbilt University was named after a railroad tycoon, and its sustainability movement might as well be a train. It’s swift moving—Vanderbilt University has already developed a comprehensive Environmental Commitment Statement. It has many moving parts—Vanderbilt’s Plant Operations and Vanderbilt Environmental Health and Safety collaborate to form the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO), whose mission is to initiate, promote, coordinate, evaluate and encourage environmental management and sustainability initiatives that improve Vanderbilt’s impact on the community and environment, while simultaneously providing sustainability and environmental management services for the entire institution. And it’s going to be hard to stop—leaders of the future are being cultivated and groomed through the university’s several active student-run sustainability groups on campus; including SPEAR (Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility), Alternative Energy Club (Biodiesel), and the Vanderbilt Initiative for Vegetarian Awareness (VIVA); as well as several environmental research centers and myriad courses related to sustainability and the environment. The campus itself is also laying a sturdy green foundation; Vanderbilt was the first university in Tennessee to have any LEED-certified buildings, and claims one of the largest collections of LEED-certified facilities in the Southeast, composed of two LEED Certified projects, five LEED Silver, and seven LEED Gold. With all the enormous undertakings going on at Vanderbilt, those at this Tennessean university still never lose sight of the little things that make an impact; students and community can take their pick from various recycling and commuter choice programs.
99/99
AASHE STARS® rating
REPORTER
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes
% food budget spent on local/organic food
20%
Available Transportation Alternatives
Bike Share
Yes
Car Sharing Program
Yes
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program
Yes
Condensed Work Week Option For Employees
Yes
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Yes
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Yes
Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers
Yes
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Yes
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Yes
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Yes
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2022.
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
No
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
No
