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University of Chicago vs Vanderbilt University

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

Getting in

Acceptance rate4.5%5.4%
Early decision rate—14.1%
SAT middle 50%1500–15601510–1560
ACT middle 50%34–3534–35
Applicant reports on our site633781

Cost and aid

Tuition$75,960$69,822
Food and housing$21,414$23,690
Sticker price per year$100,089$96,896
Average need-based grant$78,651$77,563
Average % of need met100%100%

Outcomes

First-year retention99%97%
6-year graduation rate95%92.6%
Undergraduates7,4537,366

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

University of Chicago or Vanderbilt University?

Is University of Chicago harder to get into than Vanderbilt University?

They are about equally selective: University of Chicago admitted 4.5% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and Vanderbilt University admitted 5.4% (2025-26).

What SAT scores do University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University students have?

The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1500–1560 at University of Chicago and 1510–1560 at Vanderbilt University.

Which is cheaper, University of Chicago or Vanderbilt University?

Before aid, Vanderbilt University costs about $96,896 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $100,089 at University of Chicago (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $78,651 at University of Chicago and $77,563 at Vanderbilt University.

Does University of Chicago or Vanderbilt University have a higher graduation rate?

95% of University of Chicago students graduate within six years, compared with 92.6% at Vanderbilt University.

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