2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$27,553
Net Price
7%
Admitted
48%
Enrolled
93%
Graduation Rate
8/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
Vanderbilt University
is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 13,796. In 2021, there were 133 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #1 in Tennessee and ranks #24 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
133
Total Enrollment
13,796
Type
Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Ranking for Vanderbilt University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Tennessee Rank
Combining ranking factors for 34 schools that offer psychology degrees in Tennessee, Vanderbilt University ranks #1.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Vanderbilt University ranks #24.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, Vanderbilt University offers Developmental Psychology, General Psychology and Research Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Community Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, General Psychology, Psychometrics Psychology and Research Psychology. At the doctorate level General Psychology are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Community Psychology | – | 3 | – |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | 5 | – |
| Developmental Psychology | 27 | – | – |
| General Psychology | 40 | 11 | 10 |
| Psychometrics Psychology | – | 5 | – |
| Research Psychology | 27 | 5 | – |
| Total Graduates | 94 | 29 | 10 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 47,152 students applied to the Vanderbilt University. The university admitted 7% and 48% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Tennessee universities is 6,236. On average, all Tennessee institutions admit 72% and 29% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of Vanderbilt University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 97%. Compared to all Tennessee four or more years colleges, the percentage is 73%.
The overall graduation rate for Vanderbilt University is 93%, compared to 57% for all Tennessee universities.
Compare VU to Tennessee Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Vanderbilt University to the average of all Tennessee four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
VU
47,152
Applicants
7%
Percent Admitted
48%
Percent Enrolled
97%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
93%
Graduation Rate
TN Colleges
6,236
Applicants
72%
Percent Admitted
29%
Percent Enrolled
73%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 1,606 or 83% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 322 or 17% part-time faculty members employed at Vanderbilt University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 1,259 or 65%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
VU
8 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
83%
Percent Full-Time
17%
Percent Part-Time
65%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
TN Colleges
13 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
60%
Percent Full-Time
40%
Percent Part-Time
59%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at Vanderbilt University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $54,840, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,194.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $51,600 and the average cost for graduate fees is $562.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Vanderbilt University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for Vanderbilt University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $18,376 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $3,002 |
| Total Living Expenses | $21,378 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $54,840 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,194 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $77,412 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $51,600 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $562 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $52,162 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend Vanderbilt University is $27,553. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Compare Vanderbilt University to all Tennessee universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
VU
$77,412
Cost to Attend
$45,342
Average Financial Aid
70%
Percent Receiving Aid
$27,553
Net Price
TN Colleges
$38,189
Cost to Attend
$16,224
Average Financial Aid
96%
Percent Receiving Aid
$19,644
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 1,184 or 70%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 4,617 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $45,342.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 4,617 | $45,342 |
| Pell Grants | 1,131 | $4,693 |
| Federal Student Loans | 765 | $5,879 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Vanderbilt University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
VU
4,617
Grant or Scholarship Aid
71%
Grants or Scholarships
1,131
Number of Pell Grants
17%
Pell Grants
765
Federal Student Loans
12%
Federal Student Loans
TN Colleges
4,167
Grant or Scholarship Aid
54%
Grants or Scholarships
1,615
Number of Pell Grants
21%
Pell Grants
1,978
Federal Student Loans
25%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Tennessee.
