[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is Vanderbilt to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Vanderbilt University (Vanderbilt)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Vanderbilt's acceptance rate is 5.86% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 45,409 students applied and 2,662 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is very low, which means it is very hard to get into Vanderbilt.
To apply to Vanderbilt, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, Vanderbilt's acceptance rate is 5.86% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 61.23%. 20,851 men and 24,553 women applied to Vanderbilt and 1,238 men and 1,424 women students were accepted.
Among them, 744 men and 886 women were enrolled in Vanderbilt. You can explore the Vanderbilt's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 447 students (27% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 401 students (25% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Vanderbilt.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,540, including 750 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 790 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 770 and the 25th percentile is 730. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 800 and the 25th percentile is 770.
The median ACT composite score is 35, with a 75th percentile score of 35 and a 25th percentile score of 34 at Vanderbilt. The median ACT Math score is 34 and the median ACT English score is 35.
How competitive is Vanderbilt's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Vanderbilt University are relatively high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,497, ACT: 34 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, Recommendations, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Vanderbilt. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Vanderbilt University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to Vanderbilt:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/
- Online Application: admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/
- Calendar System: Semester
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: Bachelor, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
Vanderbilt Admission Frequently Asked Questions
Vanderbilt is extremely competitive to get into, with an acceptance rate of 5.86%.
Vanderbilt recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Vanderbilt is 1,540, and the average ACT score is 35. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, Vanderbilt requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, Vanderbilt requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
Vanderbilt does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Vanderbilt requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, Vanderbilt requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for Vanderbilt is 1871 and 4-digit ACT code is 4036.