Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN, USA

✓ SEVP Certified

Test Optional

STEM Designated

OPT Available

CPT Available

Featured

About Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt, founded in 1873 with a gift from Cornelius 'Commodore' Vanderbilt, occupies a 330-acre arboretum-designated campus in midtown Nashville, walking distance from the city's music venues and a major medical center. It is distinctive among top private universities for combining a strong residential undergraduate culture -- first-year students live together on the Ingram Commons -- with substantial merit-based scholarship programs like the full-tuition Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship. The Peabody College of Education and Human Development is one of the most highly ranked in the country.

Location

Nashville, TN, USA

SEVP & Work Rights

SEVP Certified Institution

OPT Available: Yes
CPT Available: Yes
STEM Designated: Yes (24-month OPT extension eligible)

Key Stats

Acceptance Rate: 4.7%
Total Students: 13,575
International %: 14.0%
Campus Setting: Urban
Student/faculty ratio: 8:1

Admissions

SAT (average): 1549
SAT EBRW (25th-75th): 730 - 770
SAT Math (25th-75th): 770 - 800
ACT (midpoint): 35
ACT (25th-75th): 34 - 35

Outcomes

Freshman retention: 96%
Graduation rate (6yr): 93%
Median earnings (10yr): $91,565

Profile

Classification: Doctoral / Research University
Endowment: $10248M
Avg net price (after aid): $15,846/yr

Rankings

US News: #17
QS World: #250
Times Higher Ed: #90

Test Requirements

TOEFL

Required

Minimum score: 89

Official Graduate School minimum.

IELTS

Required

Minimum score: 7.0

Generally desirable score.

GRE

Optional

School of Engineering does not require for 2026-2027.