A new way to tour Vandy
A typical Vandy tour can feel impersonal, leaving you with more questions than answers. You’re just a face in the crowd following a scripted tour led by a guide the school assigns you.
SchoolScoops offers private Vanderbilt University tours tailored to your interests. Choose your own Vandy student tour guide and enjoy a personalized campus visit where you'll get candid answers to your questions.
SchoolScoops is the more personal way to tour Vanderbilt University
Private and personalized Vandy tours
On a traditional Vanderbilt University campus tour you’re just a number in a big group. With SchoolScoops, you can book a private Vanderbilt University tour led by a real Vandy student, giving you a personalized campus visit and the chance to ask all the questions that are important to you.
Choose your own tour guide
Unlike a traditional Vanderbilt University campus tour, SchoolScoops lets you choose your own tour guide. Whether you want to meet an engineering major, a student-athlete or a fellow transfer student, you'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.
No scripts, just scoops
Traditional Vanderbilt University campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the tour guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don’t work for their school, so there’s no sales pitch—just honest, unfiltered advice about the Vandy experience.
Find out if Vandy is the school for you
Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. A private Vandy tour helps you decide if Vanderbilt University is the right fit for your academic goals, career ambitions and college experience.
Can't make it to campus?
Book a 1-on-1 video chat with a Vandy student for personalized insights. Learn about academics, campus culture, and Nashville life without leaving home.
Book a video chatReal feedback on student-led campus tours
Get to know Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a premier private research institution in Nashville, Tennessee, renowned for combining academic excellence, innovation, and community. A Vanderbilt campus tour reveals how this nationally ranked university blends rigorous academics with a collaborative, student-centered environment. Visitors experience a beautiful, park-like setting in the heart of Music City - where tradition meets discovery.
Overview
Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt University is a private research university offering over 70 undergraduate majors and hundreds of graduate and professional programs across ten schools and colleges. Whether you join a Vanderbilt university campus tour or explore through a Vanderbilt campus visit, you’ll see how Vanderbilt fosters academic curiosity, leadership, and cross-disciplinary learning in a supportive, residential setting.
Size
Vanderbilt enrolls around 13,700 students - approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 6,700 graduate and professional students. A private Vanderbilt university campus tour offers an up-close look at how the school’s midsize community balances world-class research opportunities with close student-faculty relationships.
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt is one of the most selective universities in the United States, with an acceptance rate of roughly 7% and an early decision rate around 15%. Admitted students generally score between 1480–1570 on the SAT or 34–35 on the ACT. Prospective students who book a Vanderbilt college tour gain valuable insights into the admissions process, application strategies, and the qualities Vanderbilt values most.
Cost
For the 2024–2025 academic year, undergraduate tuition is $63,610, with graduate tuition varying by program. Approximately 65% of undergraduates receive financial aid, and the average need-based scholarship exceeds $59,000. During a Vanderbilt university campus tour, student guides often share how Vanderbilt’s “no-loan” financial aid policy makes elite education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
Ranking
According to U.S. News & World Report, Vanderbilt University ranks #18 among National Universities and is consistently recognized for its research innovation, academic excellence, and commitment to affordability. Joining Vanderbilt campus tours helps future students understand why Vanderbilt remains one of the most respected universities in the South and beyond.
Academics
Vanderbilt offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs across colleges such as Arts and Science, Engineering, Peabody Education, and Blair School of Music. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from small classes and hands-on learning. A Vanderbilt campus visit showcases dynamic classrooms, research labs, and collaborative workspaces that drive discovery and creativity.
Traditions
Vanderbilt’s traditions create lifelong memories - from Anchor Dash for first-year students to Rites of Spring, Commodore Quake, and Founders Walk. Experiencing these during a campus tour Vanderbilt university or a Vanderbilt university campus tours event gives visitors a feel for the university’s vibrant spirit and strong community.
Campus landmarks
The 330-acre Vanderbilt campus - designated a national arboretum - is home to iconic landmarks like Kirkland Hall, Alumni Lawn, Peabody Esplanade, and the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. On a Vanderbilt university campus tour, visitors can explore these historic sites, modern research buildings, and the bustling student commons while enjoying the charm of Nashville.
Student body
Over 85% of Vanderbilt students come from out of state, representing all 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries. A private Vanderbilt campus visit provides a personal look at the university’s diverse and inclusive community, where collaboration and curiosity fuel both academic and social life.
Become a SchoolScoops guide
In college? Earn $40/hour hosting 1-on-1 campus tours and video chats with future students.
Become a guideYour Vanderbilt University questions, answered
Where is Vanderbilt University located?
Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee, just minutes from the city’s vibrant downtown. A Vanderbilt university campus tour lets you explore the beautiful arboretum-like grounds surrounded by world-class culture, music, and opportunities.
Is Vanderbilt an Ivy League school?
No, Vanderbilt is not an Ivy League university - but it’s often called the “Harvard of the South” due to its academic rigor, research impact, and national prestige.
What is Vanderbilt University known for?
Vanderbilt is known for top programs in Human and Organizational Development (HOD), Economics, Engineering, Education, and the Biomedical Sciences. A Vanderbilt campus visit allows prospective students to see how academic excellence meets real-world application.
How hard is it to get into Vanderbilt University?
With an acceptance rate near 7%, Vanderbilt is highly selective. Applicants with strong academics, leadership experience, and community involvement stand out most. Visiting through a Vanderbilt college tours session offers firsthand insight into what admissions officers value.
How much is tuition at Vanderbilt University?
Undergraduate tuition is approximately $63,610 per year. Vanderbilt meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans - a feature discussed during any Vanderbilt campus tour.
Is Vanderbilt University public or private?
Vanderbilt is a private research university known for its world-class faculty, strong alumni network, and supportive student community.
When was Vanderbilt University founded?
Vanderbilt was founded in 1873, thanks to a gift from Cornelius Vanderbilt, with a mission to promote unity, education, and innovation in the South.
How many students attend Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt enrolls roughly 13,700 students total - around 7,000 undergraduates and 6,700 graduate and professional students. You can learn more about campus life during a Vanderbilt university campus tours session.
Does Vanderbilt University offer in-person and virtual tours?
Yes! You can register for Vanderbilt campus tours or take a Vanderbilt virtual tour through the admissions website. SchoolScoops also offers a student-led and virtual tour of Vanderbilt University for those who want a live, student-led experience from anywhere in the world.
What makes Vanderbilt University tours special?
Whether you attend an admissions information session, a Vanderbilt campus visit, or a Vanderbilt university campus tour, you’ll discover the perfect mix of academic excellence, Southern warmth, and community connection that defines the Commodore experience.
Interested in other schools?
SchoolScoops also offers tours and video chats at many other schools
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