Is UChicago or Vanderbilt harder to get into?

UChicago is harder to get into than Vanderbilt. UChicago's 5.4% acceptance rate is lower than Vanderbilt's 5.6%.

Which is cheaper, UChicago or Vanderbilt?

UChicago costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, UChicago's average net price is $14,860 vs $15,846 at Vanderbilt.

Which has higher post-graduation earnings, UChicago or Vanderbilt?

UChicago graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $91,885 at UChicago and $91,565 at Vanderbilt.

UChicago vs. Vanderbilt: Acceptance Rate, SAT, Cost & Outcomes Compared

Metric	UChicago	Vanderbilt
Acceptance rate	5.4%	5.6%
SAT mid-50%	1510–1580	1490–1570
ACT mid-50%	34–35	34–35
Cost of attendance	$89,040	$92,522
Avg net price (after aid)	$14,860	$15,846
Undergrad enrollment	7,559	7,144
6-yr graduation rate	95.9%	93.5%
Median earnings (10yr)	$91,885	$91,565
Setting	Chicago, Illinois	Nashville, Tennessee

The Real Differences

Selectivity is essentially the same. UChicago's 5.4% acceptance rate and Vanderbilt's 5.6% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.

Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.

Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. UChicago is in Chicago, Illinois; Vanderbilt is in Nashville, Tennessee. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.

UChicago has a more international student body (17.6% non-resident students vs 11.2%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.

Student Body Composition

The two schools have different student body compositions. UChicago is 45.8% women, 17.6% international, and 19.3% Asian-American. Vanderbilt is 52.5% women, 11.2% international, and 18.6% Asian-American.

Demographic	UChicago	Vanderbilt
Women	45.8%	52.5%
International	17.6%	11.2%
White	29.5%	39.1%
Asian	19.3%	18.6%
Hispanic	16.9%	11.4%
Black	6.9%	9.2%

Personalized estimate

What are your odds at UChicago vs. Vanderbilt?

Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.

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The Verdict

Pick UChicago if

Net price matters: UChicago costs $986 less per year on average
Higher median post-grad earnings ($91,885 vs $91,565)
Higher 6-year graduation rate
the Core

Pick Vanderbilt if

Your odds are realistic at Vanderbilt (slightly easier admit)
the residential colleges on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons

Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.

Full School Pages

For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:

Full profile

University of Chicago

5.4% accept · Chicago, Illinois

Full profile

Vanderbilt University

5.6% accept · Nashville, Tennessee

Sources

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.

Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.

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