In 1999, Vanderbilt received under 10,000 applications and sported an acceptance rate of 61%. The turn of the millennium saw annual incremental increases in selectivity that led to the Vanderbilt acceptance rate hitting an all-time low in 2024. If you are a regular reader of our content, you know that we frequently point out staggering drops in admit rates at elite universities over the last decade or two. We cite these statistics not to scare you, but to make sure you and the influential voices in your lives (parents, family friends, peers, older siblings, teachers, and counselors) are up to speed on just how competitive many top schools are today.
If you told an adult who was a Commodore alum from another era, or even just a decade ago, that you have a 1400 SAT and mostly ‘A’s in AP courses, they would instantly congratulate you on joining the Vanderbilt family. Based on old criteria, their optimism would be warranted. Yet, today, a student with a 1400 SAT would find themselves well below the 25th percentile of attending freshmen.
Given how rapidly the admissions landscape at Vanderbilt has shifted, the aim of this article is to provide you with an understanding of the following topics:
- Vanderbilt University acceptance rate
- Vanderbilt ED acceptance rate
- GPA, SAT, ACT, and class rank of accepted Vanderbilt University applicants
- Admissions trends
- The demographics of current undergraduates
- Yield rate
- How Vanderbilt University’s admissions officers evaluate candidates
- Tips for applying to Vanderbilt University
- Vanderbilt essay advice
- How to assess whether applying to Vanderbilt is even worth the $50 application fee (for you)
Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.
Vanderbilt University Acceptance Rate – Class of 2028
Between both ED cycles and the regular decision cycle, over 45,000 applications were received for Vanderbilt’s Class of 2028. Based on data released by the university, we can estimate an overall acceptance rate of about 5.3%.
However, it’s important to break the overall acceptance rate down by cycle. For the regular decision cycle, the Vanderbilt acceptance rate was just 3.7%. There were 41,336 total applications received, and only 1,512 were accepted.
Historical overall Vanderbilt acceptance rates are as follows:
| Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | |
| Class of 2027 | 45,313 | 2,844 | 6.2% |
| Class of 2026 | 46,377 | 3,093 | 6.7% |
| Class of 2025 | 47,152 | 3,368 | 7.1% |
Vanderbilt University Early Decision Acceptance Rate – Class of 2028
Any applicant who views Vanderbilt as their top choice should definitely consider applying via binding early decision. This school offers an ED1 and ED2 option. For the Class of 2028, the Vanderbilt Early Decision acceptance rate was 15.2%, slightly lower than last year’s 15.7% mark. 5,835 ED 1 and ED2 applications were received, and approximately 890 students were accepted.
Vanderbilt University Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank
Accepted students into the Class of 2027 (different from enrolled) earned ACT Composite scores of 34-36 and an SAT range of 1520-1580. In one recent cycle, 80% had an unweighted GPA of greater than a 3.75 and all but 6% earned at least a 3.5 GPA. The average GPA of all entering first-year students was 3.86 and 89% placed in the top decile of their graduating class; 97% landed in the top quartile.
What GPA do you need to get into Vanderbilt?
Among students enrolled in the Class of 2027, the average GPA was 3.9. Moreover, 90% of students had a GPA of 3.75+.
What class rank do you need to get accepted to Vanderbilt?
Among accepted Class of 2028 students (different than enrolled), 91% where in the top 10% of their graduating class. Students applying ED had even more impressive statistics—96% of those accepted ED were in the top 10% of their class.
What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt recently released statistics for the admitted Class of 2028, both regular decision and early decision. The statistics were almost identical, with the regular decision round being slightly higher:
Regular Decision
- Mid-50% SAT Reading: 750-800
- Mid-50% SAT Math: 780-800
- Mid-50% ACT: 34-36
Early Decision
- Mid-50% SAT Reading: 740-770
- Mid-50% SAT Math: 770-790
- Mid-50% ACT: 34-35
Admissions Trends & Notes — Class of 2028
- The acceptance rate declined nearly a full percentage point for the Class of 2028.
- Although Vanderbilt is test-optional (and will remain so for at least the next two cycles), about 50% of students typically submit test scores.
- 100% of students admitted ED into the Class of 2028 received one or more significant honors or held major leadership positions.
- Admitted students into the Class of 2028 hail from 48 U.S. states and 59 countries around the world.
- 10.6% of admitted students were from a rural or small town.
- 18% of admitted students were first-generation.
- To highlight just how competitive the school has become, the admissions dean stated, “Our waitlist students today would be like our Cornelius Vanderbilt scholars four years ago.”
Who Actually Gets Into Vanderbilt University?
Let’s look at the most recent demographics of the Vanderbilt University student body:
- South: 34%
- Midwest: 15%
- Mid-Atlantic: 8%
- West: 9%
- Southwest: 9%
- New England: 14%
- International: 10%
Historically, the states sending the most current undergrads are:
- Tennessee
- Illinois
- California
- New York
- Georgia
- Texas
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Virginia
- Massachusetts
Vanderbilt University Acceptance Rate — Continued
As at any highly selective university, competition is toughest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). If you hail from a less populated state like Alaska, North Dakota, or Montana, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances. The states that typically send the fewest Vanderbilt undergrads include:
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Alaska
- West Virginia
- Montana
- Idaho
- Vermont
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of all current undergrads is as follows:
- Asian American: 18%
- Hispanic: 11%
- Black or African American: 10%
- International: 10%
- Multiracial: 6%
- White: 41%
The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates is almost completely even:
- Male: 48%
- Female: 52%
The type of high school attended by recent freshmen was as follows (most recent data available):
- Public: 64%
- Private: 34%
Yield Rate
Vanderbilt University’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted—was 57% for the Class of 2027, nearly ten points higher than the previous year. Vanderbilt’s rising yield rate—and overall desirability—helps explain why the acceptance rate continues to plummet.
How Vanderbilt University Rates Applicants
Vanderbilt receives tens of thousands of applications to fill a first-year class of approximately 1,600 students. Every application at Vandy is reviewed by at least two readers. Typically these are admissions officers assigned to your geographic area, but sometimes other officers weigh in on students outside of their traditional territory. The process is genuinely holistic with readers “looking for students who have performed well within the context of their high school’s most challenging academic programs. We evaluate activities outside the classroom in terms of depth of involvement, roles and responsibilities, and leadership. We also evaluate applicants’ writing through the application essay and short answer.”
Seven factors are rated as being “very important” to the Vanderbilt admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, the essays, extracurricular activities, and character/personal qualities. Application components deemed “important” are recommendation letters, standardized test scores (if submitted), and talent/ability. “Considered” items include first-generation status, alumni status, geographical residence, state residency, racial/ethnic status, and volunteer work. It definitely helps if you are recruited as an athlete to join one of Vanderbilt University’s 14 Division I sports teams. Over 350 undergrads are varsity athletes. Those who excel in a given sport can gain an edge in the admissions process.
Tips for Applying
If you plan on joining the 45,000+ Commodore hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- Vanderbilt University offers Early Decision I and Early Decision II. As cited earlier in the blog, ED acceptance rates are typically 4-5x that of the Regular Decision round.
- Vanderbilt no longer offers interviews for undergraduate students.
- Vanderbilt University does not consider “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process. Still, it is worth taking the simple steps of following them on social media, signing up for a virtual tour, or emailing an admissions officer with any questions you may have.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essay required by Vanderbilt. In the 2023-24 cycle, applicants picked one of the two following prompts:
- Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you. (250 word max)
- Vanderbilt University values learning through contrasting points of view. We understand that our differences, and our respect for alternative views and voices, are our greatest source of strength. Please reflect on conversations you’ve had with people who have expressed viewpoints different from your own. How did these conversations/experiences influence you? (250 word max)
For detailed advice on tackling this essay, visit our blog: Vanderbilt University Essay Prompt and Tips.
Should I apply to Vanderbilt?
With overall acceptance rates heading to sub-5%, Vanderbilt is a school that is looking for students who are at the 97th percentile or above on standardized tests and among the very top of their high school class. Just about all “A”s in an AP-heavy curriculum are expected.
Vanderbilt University Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts
If Vanderbilt University is your aim, make sure to also have multiple other schools on your list where you are more likely to gain acceptance. All students need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. You’ll also definitely want to get your counselor’s input during this process.
Ready to start crafting your applications? Be sure to check out the following:
- Should You Start College Applications in the Summer?
- What is Demonstrated Interest?
- Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
- College Fair Advice for High School Students
- How to Complete the Common App Activities List
- Common App Essay Prompts
- 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
