Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Vanderbilt University at a Glance
Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided the school with its initial $1 million endowment in the hopes that his gift, and the greater work of the university, would help to heal the sectional wounds inflicted by the American Civil War. Vanderbilt is a founding member of the Southeastern Conference and has been the conference's only privat…
1873
153 years old
$10.9B
$10.9 billion (2025)
13,575
7,221 undergrad · 6,354 grad
1,847
8:1 student:faculty
330 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Vanderbilt University
Official admissions pageJanuary 1
November 1 (Early Decision I) / January 1 (Early Decision II)
$80
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is Vanderbilt University Worth It?
Vanderbilt University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $15,846/year net price and $91,565 median earnings, graduates earn 5.8× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 93% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 6%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Median student debt of $14,000 is manageable at just 15% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Vanderbilt University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Vanderbilt University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 20 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Vanderbilt University | 100 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| #2 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #3 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #4 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #5 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #6 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Vanderbilt University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Vanderbilt University
The highest-earning program at Vanderbilt University is Computer Science at $97,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Vanderbilt University earns $97,800, while a History graduate earns $26,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $12,000 in median debt vs. $15,000 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,846/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $97,800 | $97,800 | $12,000 |
| Mathematics | $75,500 | $75,500 | $15,696 |
| Economics | $68,100 | $68,100 | $15,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $67,500 | $67,500 | $17,996 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,800 | $66,800 | $15,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $66,000 | $66,000 | $14,875 |
| Engineering Science | $61,700 | $61,700 | N/A |
| Social Sciences, General | $54,300 | $54,300 | $15,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $41,500 | $41,500 | $14,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $40,100 | $40,100 | $15,900 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $37,800 | $37,800 | $16,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,200 | $33,200 | $8,974 |
| Psychology, General | $32,100 | $32,100 | $15,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $29,800 | $29,800 | $19,250 |
| History | $26,500 | $26,500 | $15,000 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Nashville, TN
- Student Body
- 7,208 students
- Admission Rate
- 6%
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,846
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $91,565
- Median Student Debt
- $14,000