Academic Comparison between UK and Vanderbilt

University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UK is a four-year, public school located in Lexington, KY and Vanderbilt is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Nashville, TN.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UK is a public and Vanderbilt is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Vanderbilt has more expensive tuition & fees ($67,498) than UK ($34,140).
  • It is harder to admit to Vanderbilt than UK.
  • Vanderbilt has a higher submitted SAT score (1,180) than UK (1,180).
  • Vanderbilt has higher submitted ACT score (25) than UK (25).
  • UK has more students with 34,709 students while Vanderbilt has 13,575 students.
  • Vanderbilt has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while UK's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • UK has more full-time faculties with 1,710 faculties while Vanderbilt has 1,360 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Kentuckyvs.Vanderbilt University
Lexington, KentuckyLocationNashville, Tennessee
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$13,502
Out-Of-State$34,140
2025 Tuition & Fees$67,498
88%% Receiving Financial Aid68%
$12,449Average Amount of Financial Aid$58,699
92.94 %Acceptance Rates5.86 %
22.23 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)61.23 %
1,180SAT Score1,540
25ACT Score35
71 %Graduation Rate94 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
87 %Retention Rate96 %
34,709Student Population13,575
1,710Number of Faculties1,360
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio8 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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