Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

Vanderbilt University reported an overall acceptance rate of 4.60% for the Class of 2029, one of the lowest in its history. 50,084 students applied, and 2,304 were admitted across both admission rounds. Of these offers, 1,411 came through Regular Decision (RD), while 893 students were admitted through Early Decision (ED) earlier in the cycle.

For the Class of 2030, ED II results were released in February 2026, closing the early cycle. The combined ED I and ED II acceptance rate was 11.9%, and a record of 7,727 students applied across both rounds. RD results are expected in late March 2026.

In this blog, we’ll break down Vanderbilt’s overall, early, regular, waitlist, and transfer acceptance rates and how they’ve evolved.

• Vanderbilt Acceptance Rates
• Vanderbilt Early Decision Acceptance Rate
• Vanderbilt Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
• Vanderbilt Transfer Acceptance Rate
• Vanderbilt Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Vanderbilt Acceptance Rates

Vanderbilt’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 fell to 4.60%, down from 5.86% for the Class of 2028. This decline signals a sharp increase in selectivity, reflecting rising application volume and sustained enrollment targets.

Vanderbilt’s admissions data show a dramatic rise in selectivity over the past decade.. Here’s the complete picture:

Note: All data has been compiled from Vanderbilt’s Common Data Set.

For the Class of 2021, Vanderbilt admitted 10.85% of applicants, but that rate steadily declined as applications surged past 45,000 for the Class of 2025. Acceptance rates then dropped from 7.14% (Class of 2025) to a record-low 4.60% (Class of 2029).

Vanderbilt Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The most recent ED figures come from the Class of 2030, when a record 7,727 students applied across ED I and ED II. The combined early acceptance rate was 11.9%, a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. This cycle marked both a surge in early applications, up 14.3% year over year, and increased selectivity.

Vanderbilt Early Decision acceptance rate trends

Vanderbilt’s ED acceptance rates have declined sharply over the past decade, dropping from roughly 24% to about 12%. Here’s a breakdown:

Note: All data has been sourced from Vanderbilt’s official ED admissions announcements and Common Data Set.

Vanderbilt’s ED acceptance rates have become markedly more selective over time. The highest recent rate occurred with the Class of 2021 at 24.03%, while the Class of 2030 recorded the lowest at 11.9%. Over the same period, the number of ED applicants rose significantly, culminating in a record 7,727 applicants for the Class of 2030.

During the middle years, ED acceptance rates hovered around 18–20% for the Classes of 2024 and 2025, but competition intensified in the most recent cycles. By the Class of 2029, the ED acceptance rate had already dropped to 13.20%.

Although applying ED still provides better odds than RD, Vanderbilt’s early round has grown increasingly competitive as demand rises while enrollment capacity remains limited.

Vanderbilt Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

The Class of 2029 provides the most recent RD data: 1,411 admissions out of 43,322 applications, yielding a 3.26% acceptance rate. That marks a significant drop from 4.59% for the Class of 2028, proof of Vanderbilt’s growing selectivity in the RD round.

Vanderbilt Regular Decision acceptance rate trends

Vanderbilt’s RD acceptance rates have significantly decreased over the years. Here’s a clearer picture:

Note: RD figures are estimates derived by subtracting ED data from overall totals in Vanderbilt’s official admissions announcements and Common Data Set.

Vanderbilt’s RD admissions have become significantly more competitive over the past decade. The Class of 2029 marks the most selective cycle, with only 3.26% of 43,322 applicants admitted.

Earlier in the decade, the RD acceptance rate was considerably higher. For the Class of 2021, Vanderbilt admitted 9.16% of RD applicants. As the applicant pool expanded beyond 40,000 in the mid-2020s, the rate steadily tightened, dropping to 5.86% for the Class of 2025, 5.33% for the Class of 2026, 4.91% for the Class of 2027, and 4.59% for the Class of 2028.

Overall, Vanderbilt’s RD admissions have shifted from admitting roughly 1 in 11 applicants to about 1 in 30.

Vanderbilt Transfer Acceptance Rate

The most recent Vanderbilt transfer data comes from Fall 2024, when the acceptance rate was 21.80%. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Fall 2024 transfer data is from Vanderbilt’s Common Data Set for 2024-2025, the same reporting year that includes Class of 2028 first-year admissions data.

Vanderbilt’s transfer admission rate is notably higher than its first-year acceptance rate of 5.86% for the Class of 2028. Of 3,202 applicants, 698 were admitted, resulting in a 21.80% acceptance rate. While still competitive, transfer admission offers significantly better odds of getting accepted.

Vanderbilt Waitlist Acceptance Rate

For Fall 2024, Vanderbilt University admitted 279 students from its waitlist. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Waitlist data is from Vanderbilt’s most recent Common Data Set.

Vanderbilt does not publish a precise acceptance rate for its waitlist. However, the admissions office states that it has admitted students from the waitlist every year for over 30 years, but the number of offers depends on how many admitted students decide to enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Vanderbilt’s current acceptance rate?

The most recent confirmed acceptance rate for Vanderbilt University is 4.60% for the Class of 2029. Vanderbilt received 50,084 applications and admitted 2,304 students.

2. Is it easier to get into Vanderbilt through Early Decision or Regular Decision?

Historically, ED applicants have had significantly higher admit rates than RD applicants at Vanderbilt. For the Class of 2029, the combined ED I and II acceptance rate was 13.20%, compared to 3.26% for the RD cycle. That said, ED is binding, and the pool is typically highly competitive and committed.

3. How hard is it to transfer to Vanderbilt?

For Fall 2024, Vanderbilt admitted 698 out of 3,202 transfer applicants, resulting in a 21.80% transfer acceptance rate. This is far higher than the 5.86% first-year rate for the Class of 2028. Still, successful transfers need strong academics and a clear fit.

4. What are my chances of getting off Vanderbilt’s waitlist?

It depends heavily on the year and the university’s enrollment needs. For Fall 2024, Vanderbilt admitted 279 students from the waitlist. Because available spots depend on yield, waitlist outcomes remain unpredictable each year.

5. Why is Vanderbilt’s acceptance rate so low?

Vanderbilt’s acceptance rate is low because applications far exceed available seats. The university receives over 50,000 applications but enrolls about 3,000 students. With a fixed class size and many spots filled through ED, competition remains intense, keeping the acceptance rate around the mid-6% range.

Takeaways

• Vanderbilt University’s acceptance rate has declined sharply over the past decade, dropping from 10.85% for the Class of 2021 to 4.60% for the Class of 2029, the most selective cycle in its history.
• ED offers a clear statistical advantage. For the Class of 2029, the combined ED I and ED II acceptance rate was 13.20%, compared to 3.26% for RD in the most recent completed cycle, more than three times higher. However, ED is binding, and the applicant pool is typically very strong.
• Transfer and waitlist outcomes are also unpredictable. In Fall 2024, Vanderbilt admitted 698 transfer students (21.80%) and 279 waitlisted students, though movement varies by year.
• With selectivity at record lows, presenting a focused, compelling application is essential. Thoughtful preparation with the help of a college admissions expert can help you stand out in the admissions process.