Your chances of getting into Vanderbilt University
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Vanderbilt is 7%. Its admission rate is the lowest in Tennessee and the 17th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Vanderbilt and can you get accepted?
Vanderbilt is extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance - even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Last year, 3,368 out of the 47,152 who applied were admitted.
The school has exceptionally high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 1 percent on standardized admission tests. Vanderbilt University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.89. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 48% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Check if you have the grades and scores to get into Vanderbilt and calculate your admission chance.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Vanderbilt University you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.89 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1530 on the SAT
- Score 34 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
- Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers
Test Optional
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Vanderbilt University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 25% of students submitted SAT scores and 32% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..
Vanderbilt SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 720 |
| SAT Math 25th | 760 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1480 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 770 |
| SAT Math 75th | 800 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1570 |
| Average SAT Score | 1530
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University is a test optional school meaning you are not required to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".
Students who get into Vanderbilt University score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1480-1570 and the average score is 1530. Vanderbilt ranks #1 in the state of Tennessee and #10 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score. You should target scoring 1530 or above to be competitive with most other applicants.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1530 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1525, you have around a 7% chance of being admitted. A 1525 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 13% chance of getting in.
Vanderbilt ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 34 |
| ACT Math 25th | 31 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 34 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 36 |
| ACT Math 75th | 35 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 35 |
| Average ACT Score | 34
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".
Vanderbilt regularly accepts students who score 34 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 1 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 34-35.
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Vanderbilt GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Vanderbilt University?
You are required to have exceptionally good grades to get into Vanderbilt. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Vanderbilt University was 3.89 on the 4.0 scale. This indicates that primarily A- average high school students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #2 in Tennessee for highest average GPA. Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Vanderbilt extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.89 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.89 GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
High School Class Rank
90.5% of Vanderbilt University freshman were in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 90.5% |
| Top 25% of class | 95.6% |
| Top 50% of class | 99% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 26,759 | 20,393 | 47,152 |
| Accepted | 1,758 | 1,610 | 3,368 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7% | 8% | 7% |
| Enrolled | 816 | 810 | 1,626 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 46% | 50% | 48% |
Fall 2023 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 1, 2023.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Vanderbilt University is $50.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Vanderbilt University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Considered but not required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Required |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Vanderbilt University often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=221999 IPEDS survey data for Vanderbilt University.
FAQs
Does Vanderbilt University prefer SAT or ACT?
25% of students submit their SAT scores to Vanderbilt. 32% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Vanderbilt University?
7% of those who apply are granted admission to Vanderbilt. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Vanderbilt University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1480 and 1570. 25% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Vanderbilt University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 34 and 35. 32% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.