Head-to-head comparison
Stanford University vs. Vanderbilt University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Stanford or Vanderbilt harder to get into?
Stanford is harder to get into than Vanderbilt. Stanford's 3.7% acceptance rate is lower than Vanderbilt's 5.6%.
Which is cheaper, Stanford or Vanderbilt?
Stanford costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Stanford's average net price is $13,807 vs $15,846 at Vanderbilt.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Stanford graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $124,080 at Stanford and $91,565 at Vanderbilt.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Stanford | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1580 | 1490–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $87,833 | $92,522 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $13,807 | $15,846 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,841 | 7,144 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.9% | 93.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $124,080 | $91,565 |
| Setting | Stanford, California | Nashville, Tennessee |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Stanford is modestly harder to get into. The 1.9-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Stanford graduates earn $32,515 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Vanderbilt grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Stanford is in Stanford, California; 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.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Stanford is 51.6% women, 12.8% international, and 28.7% Asian-American. Vanderbilt is 52.5% women, 11.2% international, and 18.6% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Stanford | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 51.6% | 52.5% |
| International | 12.8% | 11.2% |
| White | 23.0% | 39.1% |
| Asian | 28.7% | 18.6% |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 11.4% |
| Black | 7.4% | 9.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Stanford vs. Vanderbilt?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Stanford if
- Net price matters: Stanford costs $2,039 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($124,080 vs $91,565)
- interdisciplinary research
Pick Vanderbilt if
- Your odds are realistic at Vanderbilt (slightly easier admit)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- 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
Stanford University
3.7% accept · Stanford, California
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.