DePauw vs. Vanderbilt

DePauw University and Vanderbilt University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

DePauw University
Vanderbilt University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 57.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vanderbilt. Average net price is $25,186 vs $31,411 at DePauw.
  • Graduation: DePauw 85% vs Vanderbilt 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DePauw $61,000 vs Vanderbilt $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

DePauw University Vanderbilt University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
DePauw57.2%
Vanderbilt5.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanderbilt higher
DePauw1200-1410
Vanderbilt1500-1570
Average net price
Vanderbilt $6,225 less
DePauw$31,411
Vanderbilt$25,186
In-state tuition
DePauw $8,428 less
DePauw$59,070
Vanderbilt$67,498
Out-of-state tuition
DePauw $8,428 less
DePauw$59,070
Vanderbilt$67,498
Graduation rate
Vanderbilt +7 pts
DePauw85%
Vanderbilt92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vanderbilt +$22,100
DePauw$61,000
Vanderbilt$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DePauw 6,683
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Admitted
  • DePauw 3,822
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • DePauw 57.2%
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DePauw 13.2%
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DePauw 1310
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • DePauw 30
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • DePauw 3.97
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • DePauw A
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Admissions standards
  • DePauw Very High
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • DePauw Low
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • SAT range
  • DePauw 1200-1410
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • DePauw 28-32
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • DePauw Test optional
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DePauw Feb 1, 2027
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DePauw $59,070
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DePauw $59,070
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Room & board
  • DePauw $15,330
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Average net price
  • DePauw $31,411
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Average grant aid
  • DePauw $42,909
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DePauw 99%
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • DePauw 85%
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DePauw $61,000
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • DePauw 80%
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DePauw $25,588
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • DePauw $264
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DePauw 10:1
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • DePauw
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • DePauw Greencastle, IN
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • DePauw Distant Town
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • DePauw 1,917
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Type
  • DePauw Private 4 Year
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DePauw #99
  • Vanderbilt #16

Comparable Facts

Compare DePauw University in Greencastle, IN with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than DePauw based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,917 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • DePauw University is located in Greencastle, IN (Distant Town setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • DePauw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: DePauw University 10:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DePauw University are 30.5% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($15,330 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at Vanderbilt than at DePauw University (about $8,428 more per year; $67,498 vs. $59,070).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePauw University than at Vanderbilt University (99% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 50.1% larger than aid received by DePauw University students ($64,404 vs. $42,909).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Vanderbilt than at DePauw (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DePauw and Vanderbilt.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DePauw Feb 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at DePauw average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Vanderbilt (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at DePauw vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $11,588 lower median loan debt than DePauw graduates ($14,000 vs. $25,588).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePauw graduates ($144 vs. $264).
  • More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePauw students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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