Vanderbilt University

In 2021, tuition for full-time Vanderbilt students was $61,618 a year.

Tuition increased 6% in 2023–from $58,130 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until after graduation.

Vanderbilt University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Vanderbilt University is around $69,254 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $30,364 in student loans for each student with debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Tennessee as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Tennessee colleges

Vanderbilt University International Student Tuition

Vanderbilt University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Vanderbilt University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Vanderbilt University:

•Athletic Awards •Vanderbilt University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Vanderbilt University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Vanderbilt University.

Room and Board Costs at Vanderbilt University

Room and board at Vanderbilt University is $21,054 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Vanderbilt University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Vanderbilt University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer resources for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Vanderbilt University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Vanderbilt University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city can be expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. Vanderbilt Universityis in a city in Tennessee, not far from Nashville.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending Vanderbilt University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Vanderbilt University.

Total Cost of Vanderbilt University

What will the cost of attending Vanderbilt University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$61,618
Room and Board	$21,054
Other expenses	$3,396

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$89,590
Off-Campus	$65,140

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Vanderbilt University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 3,386 of the 7,126 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Vanderbilt University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $69,254 a year. Around 18% of Vanderbilt University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Vanderbilt University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $30,364 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$15,579
Private Loans	$57,678

Most Common Loans for Vanderbilt University Students
Federal Loans	17%
Private loans	5.17%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Vanderbilt University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Vanderbilt University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Vanderbilt University awarded 3,362 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $210.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $31.25 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Vanderbilt University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Vanderbilt University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Vanderbilt University was $69,254 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Vanderbilt University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$20,336
Off-Campus	$-4,114

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Vanderbilt University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Vanderbilt University's net cost calculator on their website.

Vanderbilt University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Vanderbilt Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Vanderbilt University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2021, the total market value of Vanderbilt University's endowment was $6.9 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Vanderbilt University spends about $55,951 a year.

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Learn More About Vanderbilt University

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