Vanderbilt Common Data Set: What You Need to Know

When you’re researching Vanderbilt, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by different stats and facts floating around online. The good news is there’s one reliable place to get the real numbers: the Vanderbilt Common Data Set. Published annually by Vanderbilt University, this official report provides comprehensive information on admissions, enrollment, and student life.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key highlights of the Vanderbilt Common Data Set for 2024-2025. You’ll learn how to read it, what it tells you, and why it’s so helpful when you’re deciding if Vanderbilt is the right school for you.

• What’s on the Vanderbilt Common Data Set?
• Admissions at Vanderbilt: By the Numbers
• Academic Profile of Admitted Vanderbilt Students
• Enrollment and Persistence at Vanderbilt
• Vanderbilt Transfer Admission
• Annual Expenses at Vanderbilt
• Financial Aid at Vanderbilt
• Instructional Faculty and Class Size at Vanderbilt
• Student Life at Vanderbilt
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What’s on the Vanderbilt Common Data Set?

Before we jump into the numbers, it helps to understand how the Vanderbilt Common Data Set is organized. The report is broken down into sections, each focusing on a specific part of university life. This makes it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether that’s admissions data, tuition costs, or details about student life.

Here’s what the Vanderbilt Common Data Set contains:

Each section builds on the last, giving you a complete view of Vanderbilt’s academic environment, resources, and student experience. 

Now that you know what the sections mean, let’s go through the most important ones and see what the numbers reveal about Vanderbilt today.

Admissions at Vanderbilt: By the Numbers

The “first-time, first-year admission” section of the Vanderbilt Common Data Set is one of the most useful parts. It gives a clear picture of how competitive it is to get into Vanderbilt. 

Here’s the exact breakdown of applications, admits, and enrolled students for the Fall 2024 first-year class:

Total applicants

For Fall 2024, 45,409 students applied to Vanderbilt as first-time, first-year applicants. This total includes all application rounds combined (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision).

• Men who applied: 20,851
• Women who applied: 24,553
• Another gender who applied: 0
• Unknown gender who applied: 5

This shows a fairly even split between male and female applicants, with women making up just over half of the pool.

Total admitted

Out of the 45,409 applicants, 2,662 were admitted to Vanderbilt:

• Men admitted: 1,238
• Women admitted: 1,424
• Another gender admitted: 0
• Unknown gender admitted: 0

Vanderbilt’s acceptance rate overall was 5.86%, which places Vanderbilt among the most selective universities in the nation.

Total enrolled

From the 2,662 admitted students, 1,630 enrolled as first-year students in Fall 2024:

• Men enrolled: 744
• Women enrolled: 886
• Another gender enrolled: 0
• Unknown gender enrolled: 0

This results in a yield rate of 61.2%, meaning over six out of ten admitted students chose Vanderbilt over other offers.

Residency breakdown

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set also breaks these numbers down by residency, showing how many students were from Tennessee, other states, or other countries.

The vast majority of applicants came from outside Tennessee, with over 34,600 out-of-state students vying for a spot in the freshman class. In comparison, only 2,463 students from Tennessee applied.

Of the 1,630 enrolled students, 199 are international, making up about 12% of the entire class. Out-of-state students form the largest group by far, with 1,226 enrolled. 

Vanderbilt’s numbers make it clear just how competitive admissions are:

• Out of every 100 applicants, fewer than six were admitted.
• Even among admitted students, nearly two in five chose another school, leaving Vanderbilt with a highly committed class of 1,630.
• The high yield rate shows that when students are accepted, they strongly prefer Vanderbilt.

These figures from the Vanderbilt Common Data Set give you a realistic picture of what it takes to join the incoming class.

Academic Profile of Admitted Vanderbilt Students

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set provides a detailed look at the academic strengths of incoming students. These numbers show how competitive it is to earn a spot in Vanderbilt’s freshman class.

Vanderbilt GPA requirements

Vanderbilt doesn’t have an official minimum GPA requirement for admission. However, the Vanderbilt Common Data Set shows the GPA ranges of admitted students, which gives you a clear idea of the academic level expected for competitive applicants:

• Average high school GPA of enrolled first-year students: 3.89
• Percentage of students who submitted GPA: 99.94%

This shows that nearly every incoming student reported a GPA, and the typical GPA is extremely high.

Most admitted students had very high GPAs:

• 35.9% had a perfect 4.0 GPA.
• 53.1% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99.
• Only 7.2% had a GPA between 3.50 and 3.74.

Very few students had a GPA below 3.5, which shows how competitive the applicant pool is.

Nearly nine out of ten admitted students had a GPA of 3.75 or higher, so while there’s no strict minimum, you’ll need top grades to be a strong candidate.

Class rank

Grades matter most in Vanderbilt’s admissions process, and the 2024–2025 data reflects that emphasis:

Only 23.4% of enrolled students submitted class rank, but of those who did, an overwhelming majority were in the top tenth of their graduating class.

Standardized test scores

Vanderbilt is currently test-optional, but many admitted students still chose to submit scores. For Fall 2024, 27.4% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores, while 24.6% submitted ACT scores.

The scores below represent the middle ranges for those who submitted:

The data shows that Vanderbilt’s admitted students perform at the very top of the testing scale. The middle 50% of SAT composite scores fell between 1510 and 1560, which means that most admitted students scored near the upper end of the range. 

For the ACT, the middle 50% of scores were between 34 and 35, just shy of the maximum score of 36. SAT Math scores stood out as especially impressive, with 98.2% of students scoring between 700 and 800, demonstrating exceptional strength in quantitative skills.

Score distribution

The data also shows the percentage of first-year students scoring in specific ranges:

SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW):

• 97.3% scored between 700–800
• 2.5% scored between 600–699
• 0.2% scored between 500–599

SAT Math:

• 98.2% scored between 700–800
• 1.6% scored between 600–699
• 0.2% scored between 500–599

SAT Composite:

• 98.4% scored between 1400–1600
• 1.6% scored between 1200–1399

ACT Composite:

• 98.5% scored between 30–36
• 1.5% scored between 24–29

These ranges confirm that most Vanderbilt students who submitted scores were in the top tier nationally.

Enrollment and Persistence at Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set provides detailed information on enrollment by category for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates

Part-time undergraduates

Graduate students

Persistence

In terms of persistence, Vanderbilt awarded a total of 4,305 degrees across its programs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. The breakdown is as follows:

• Bachelor’s degrees: 1,855
• Master’s degrees: 1,630
• Doctoral degrees (research/scholarship): 489
• Doctoral degrees (professional practice): 331

These numbers show Vanderbilt’s balance between undergraduate education and advanced graduate and professional programs.

Vanderbilt Transfer Admission

Vanderbilt received 3,202 transfer applications for Fall 2024. Of these, 698 students were admitted (a transfer acceptance rate of about 21.8%), and 359 enrolled.

Here’s the gender breakdown of admitted and enrolled students:

• Men: 356 admitted, 199 enrolled
• Women: 342 admitted, 160 enrolled

Requirements for transfer applicants

To apply as a transfer student, you must submit:

• College transcript(s)
• Essay or personal statement
• Statement of good standing from your current or most recent institution

Additional items:

• High school transcript (recommended for all applicants, required for some)
• Standardized test scores (recommended for all applicants, required for some)
• Interview (not required)

Vanderbilt’s transfer process is selective, so a strong academic record and well-crafted application materials are essential to stand out.

Annual Expenses at Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set outlines costs clearly so you know what to expect before committing to college. For the 2024–2025 academic year, here’s the breakdown of annual costs for a typical full-time undergraduate student:

If transportation costs are included, the final total will be slightly higher depending on the student’s travel expenses.

Financial Aid at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt’s financial aid program is committed to making its education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. The Vanderbilt Common Data Set provides a clear look at how much aid students receive and where that aid comes from. 

For the 2024–2025 academic year, here’s a detailed breakdown of the total aid awarded to students:

These figures reveal how Vanderbilt’s financial aid resources are distributed and where the majority of funding comes from:

• Total scholarships and grants awarded is $296.2 million combined (need-based and non-need-based).
• The majority of aid comes from institutional funds, with over $238.9 million in need-based scholarships and grants provided by Vanderbilt itself.
• Federal Work-Study programs account for $4.5 million in aid, giving students opportunities to earn money while studying.
• Vanderbilt does not include loans in initial aid packages, but families may still choose to take out parent loans, totaling $7.5 million this year.
• Athletic awards totaled over $17.2 million, supporting student-athletes across various sports.

These numbers show how committed Vanderbilt is to making its education affordable. The overwhelming majority of aid comes in the form of scholarships and grants, which do not need to be repaid. This means that many students pay far less than the listed sticker price.

Instructional Faculty and Class Size at Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set provides details about the university’s instructional faculty and the classroom experience. These numbers give you a sense of how personal and interactive your education might be at Vanderbilt.

Faculty overview

These numbers from the Vanderbilt Common Data Set give an overview of who teaches at the university and highlight the depth of expertise on campus:

These numbers reflect the strong academic resources available to Vanderbilt students and help explain the university’s low 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Student-to-faculty ratio

Vanderbilt’s student-to-faculty ratio for Fall 2024 is 8:1, based on:

• 7,190 undergraduate students
• 951 faculty counted for the ratio

This low ratio means students have frequent access to professors and smaller, more personalized class settings.

Class size breakdown

Class sizes at Vanderbilt vary, but most are on the smaller side. Here’s the exact breakdown for Fall 2024:

The majority of classes have fewer than 30 students, which encourages interaction and collaboration. Larger lecture classes are less common, with only 39 classes having over 100 students.

Student Life at Vanderbilt

For the Fall 2024 incoming class, 85% of first-year students and 88% of all undergraduates came from out of state, bringing a wide range of perspectives to the student body. Greek life plays a strong role on campus, with 19% of men joining fraternities and 28% of women joining sororities.

Vanderbilt has a strong residential culture, with 100% of first-year students living on campus and 84% of all undergraduates staying in college-owned or affiliated housing. The remaining 16% of students live off campus or commute. The average age for full-time undergraduates is 19.

Students can choose from a variety of housing options, including coed, men’s, and women’s dorms, fraternity and sorority housing, single-student apartments, living-learning communities, and theme housing. 

Vanderbilt offers every activity category listed in the Common Data Set, so all the boxes are checked. This includes campus ministries, performing arts groups, Model UN, student-run publications, film societies, student government, and more.

ROTC options are also available, with Army and Naval ROTC offered on campus and Air Force ROTC through Tennessee State University. This variety helps create a strong sense of community and support for every Vanderbilt student.

Key Factors in Vanderbilt’s Admission Process

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set breaks down exactly what matters most in the admissions process. It highlights which academic and non-academic factors Vanderbilt weighs heavily when reviewing applications. 

Understanding these priorities can help you focus on the areas that will have the greatest impact on your chances of admission:

Vanderbilt takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning they consider every part of your application, but place the most weight on academics and meaningful personal achievements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where do I find the Vanderbilt Common Data Set?

You can find the Vanderbilt Common Data Set on Vanderbilt University’s official website under the Office of Data and Strategic Analytics. Vanderbilt releases a new version each year, like the 2024–2025 report, which includes admissions data, enrollment statistics, financial aid details, and more. Always check the official site to ensure the information is accurate and current.

2. What is a Common Data Set?

A Common Data Set is a standardized report that universities publish annually. It covers important details about admissions, academics, financial aid, and student life. This format makes it easier to compare colleges side-by-side. The Vanderbilt University Common Data Set is Vanderbilt’s official report and it provides verified numbers directly from the school.

3. Why should I use the Vanderbilt Common Data Set when researching Vanderbilt?

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set gives you reliable information directly from Vanderbilt University. It shows how selective Vanderbilt is, the typical test scores and GPAs of admitted students, and details about tuition and financial aid. This data helps you make informed decisions and plan a strong application strategy.

4. Does the Vanderbilt Common Data Set include financial aid information?

Yes. The Vanderbilt Common Data Set includes complete financial aid data. For 2024–2025, Vanderbilt awarded over $296 million in scholarships and grants, meeting 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students. Aid packages do not include loans, so students aren’t expected to take on debt as part of their initial award.

Takeaways

The Vanderbilt Common Data Set brings together all the essential numbers you need to understand admissions, academics, and student life at Vanderbilt. Here are the most important points to keep in mind as you plan your application:

• Vanderbilt is one of the most competitive schools in the country, with only 2,662 students admitted out of 45,409 applicants for Fall 2024. This works out to an overall acceptance rate of 5.86%. These numbers from the Vanderbilt Common Data Set show how challenging it is to earn a spot in the freshman class.
• The academic profile of admitted students is exceptional, with most having GPAs above 3.75, SAT composite scores in the 1510–1560 range, and ACT composite scores between 34 and 35.
• Vanderbilt offers a strong campus experience, with 100% of first-year students living on campus and 84% of all undergraduates staying in university housing. Greek life is popular, with 19% of men and 28% of women participating. The student body is also diverse, as 85% of first-year students come from out of state.
• The Vanderbilt Common Data Set shows that Vanderbilt meets 100% of demonstrated need, awarding over $296 million in scholarships and grants for 2024–2025. About 66% of first-year students received aid, with an average need-based award of $68,680, and no loans included in initial packages.
• If you want to strengthen your application and make sure you stand out in such a competitive pool, a college admissions consultant can guide you every step of the way.