Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Vanderbilt University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 15% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 99th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (TN wage index 0.84). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Vanderbilt University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $122,244 | $160,021 | +50% | #23 of 349 | #20 | $14,500 |
| Mathematics | $103,812 | $141,171 | +103% | #5 of 309 | #4 | $9,644 |
| Economics | $84,311 | $140,337 | +70% | #11 of 368 | #3 | $12,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $75,639 | $121,641 | +24% | #2 of 158 | #1 | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $63,402 | $116,662 | +25% | #3 of 118 | #3 | $15,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,208 | $114,368 | +108% | #1 of 225 | #1 | $12,000 |
| Social Sciences | $61,389 | $103,229 | +93% | #1 of 87 | #1 | $12,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $46,843 | $102,789 | +62% | #3 of 565 | #1 | $14,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,009 | $101,345 | +10% | #33 of 318 | #12 | $14,000 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $57,023 | $91,265 | +24% | #6 of 34 | #4 | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $37,276 | $86,559 | +55% | #9 of 207 | #5 | $12,000 |
| Sociology | — | $83,649 | +59% | #3 of 462 | #2 | — |
| Civil Engineering | — | $82,744 | -4% | #150 of 233 | #63 | — |
| Engineering Science | $81,126 | — | — | — | — | $15,000 |
| Psychology | $36,716 | $71,584 | +41% | #22 of 1027 | #6 | $11,187 |
| History | $46,856 | $69,820 | +38% | #25 of 459 | #11 | $16,514 |
| English Language and Literature | $34,633 | $60,439 | +24% | #53 of 576 | #15 | $15,050 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $25,830 | $59,575 | -5% | #38 of 67 | #25 | $16,000 |
| Music | — | $59,217 | +38% | #10 of 268 | #2 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | $55,188 | +16% | #97 of 680 | #25 | — |
| Cognitive Science | $38,752 | — | — | — | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
🏆 Where Vanderbilt University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,618 | $61,618 |
| Room | $13,484 | |
| Board | $7,570 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $89,590 | $89,590 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Vanderbilt University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Vanderbilt University?
How much does it cost to attend Vanderbilt University?
What is the graduation rate at Vanderbilt University?
Is Vanderbilt University a good school?
- Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (A+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (A+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Vanderbilt University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Vanderbilt University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology