Nashville, TN · Private University
Is Vanderbilt University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$91,565
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$63,946
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$63,946
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$255,784
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.43x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
92.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,040
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Vanderbilt University graduates earn $46,565 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Vanderbilt University ranked by graduate earnings
56 graduates
44 graduates
112 graduates
19 graduates
26 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Vanderbilt University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Vanderbilt University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $164,139) and the lowest (Cognitive Science: $38,752) is $125,387/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $164,139 | 2.6x |
| Mathematics | $125,955 | 2.0x |
| Engineering Science | $109,116 | 1.7x |
| Economics | $104,258 | 1.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $96,178 | 1.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $94,340 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,813 | 1.3x |
| Social Sciences, General | $80,320 | 1.3x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $78,554 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $72,701 | 1.1x |
| History | $60,522 | 0.9x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $60,205 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $57,455 | 0.9x |
| Public Policy Analysis(1yr data) | $57,023 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $54,652 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $53,767 | 0.8x |
| Cognitive ScienceLowest(1yr data) | $38,752 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
| Duke University | 1.49x | $97,800 | Average ROI |
| Washington University in St Louis | 1.37x | $86,182 | Average ROI |
| Emory University | 1.32x | $80,137 | Average ROI |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1.38x | $87,555 | Average ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Vanderbilt University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $91,565 10 years after starting — $46,565 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.