Emory vs. Vanderbilt

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

Emory University
Vanderbilt University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 10.6%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vanderbilt. Average net price is $25,186 vs $27,303 at Emory.
  • Graduation: Emory 90% vs Vanderbilt 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emory $81,500 vs Vanderbilt $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

Emory University Vanderbilt University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
Emory10.6%
Vanderbilt5.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanderbilt higher
Emory1470-1550
Vanderbilt1500-1570
Average net price
Vanderbilt $2,117 less
Emory$27,303
Vanderbilt$25,186
In-state tuition
Emory $3,218 less
Emory$64,280
Vanderbilt$67,498
Out-of-state tuition
Emory $3,218 less
Emory$64,280
Vanderbilt$67,498
Graduation rate
Vanderbilt +2 pts
Emory90%
Vanderbilt92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Vanderbilt +$1,600
Emory$81,500
Vanderbilt$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emory 33,450
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Admitted
  • Emory 3,562
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emory 10.6%
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emory 40.4%
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emory 1510
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emory 33
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emory 3.8
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emory A-
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emory Elite
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emory Very High
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emory 1470-1550
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Emory 32-35
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emory Test optional
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emory Jan 1, 2027
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emory $64,280
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emory $64,280
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Room & board
  • Emory $20,220
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Average net price
  • Emory $27,303
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Average grant aid
  • Emory $56,319
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emory 47%
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emory 90%
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emory $81,500
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emory 80%
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emory $17,233
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emory $178
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emory 10:1
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emory
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Emory Atlanta, GA
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • Emory Large Suburban
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emory 15,175
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Type
  • Emory Private 4 Year
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emory #28
  • Vanderbilt #16

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emory University is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 13,575 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emory University are 8.3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($20,220 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Vanderbilt than at Emory University (about $3,218 more per year; $67,498 vs. $64,280).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Emory University (67% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Emory University students ($64,404 vs. $56,319).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vanderbilt than at Emory (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emory and Vanderbilt.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vanderbilt average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Emory (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $3,233 lower median loan debt than Emory graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,233).
  • Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emory graduates ($144 vs. $178).
  • More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory 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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