Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private school founded in 1873. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,152 (Fall 2023) and is located in the city on a 333-acre campus. The university operates on a semester-based academic calendar. Vanderbilt is ranked #18 in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. Its tuition and fees are $67,498.

Vanderbilt University offers a wide variety of student activities. Located in the Music City of Nashville, there are many dining, shopping, music and entertainment options off campus. On campus, Greek organizations play an important role in social life, with over 20% students participating in Greek life. All undergraduate students at Vanderbilt are required to live on campus, and freshmen live in The Commons, which is home to many LEED Gold and Silver certified buildings. The Commodores, named after Vanderbilt founder "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, have their own team in the NCAA Southeastern Conference Division I. The Commodores are the only team in the Southeastern Conference to have been awarded the honor of playing in the NCAA Southeastern Conference. More than 40% students have participated in Vanderbilt's study abroad programs in 35 countries.

Vanderbilt University is comprised of 10 colleges covering disciplines such as humanities, music, and engineering. Vanderbilt's graduate programs include the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development (which also offers undergraduate programs), as well as the highly ranked Owen Graduate School of Management, the College of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing. Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music is also known for its undergraduate programs, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center is rated one of the best in the nation. Former Time Inc. chairman and CEO Ann Moore, former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler and novelist James Patterson have all earned degrees from Vanderbilt.