Karia Kiritbhai Study Abroad Course Expert
Study Abroad Course Expert
The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, is a large public research university with approximately 36,000 students. Admissions are moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 92%. Its strongest programs include Pharmacy, Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences. The graduation rate is around 65–68%, and graduates report early career salaries of approximately INR 34–38 lakhs per annum ($41,000–46,000).
Vanderbilt University, situated in Nashville, TN, is a distinguished institution for higher education, boasting an enrollment of approximately 13,000 students. It provides highly competitive admissions, with an acceptance rate of ~6.3%. Flagship academic programs include Medicine, Law, Business, Education, and Engineering. The graduation rate is exceptional around ~92–94%; graduates earn early career wages of ~INR 68–74 lakhs ($82,000–89,000) annually.
| University of Kentucky | Vanderbilt University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.3 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 781 QS World University 2026 # 321 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 92 Times Higher Education 2026 # 250 QS World University 2026 # 56 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 97 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 68 for Law by US News 2025 | # 39 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 70 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -83 PG Programs -59 Doctorate Programs -19 | UG Programs -49 PG Programs -45 |
| Acceptance Rate | 92.4 % | 6.3 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-1080 TOEFL-71 | GMAT-670 IELTS-7 SAT-1440 TOEFL-89 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 29050 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30126.25 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 54608 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 52780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35475 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 11540 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Bachelor of Science: $77,000 Bachelor (Other): $65,000 Bachelor of Arts: $58,000 Some of the top employers of the university graduates are: PwC, Ernst & Young, Fidelity Investments, University of Kentucky, Amazon, Dell Technologies, Arrive Logistics, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, Kroger, UK HealthCare etc. | Graduate Employability ranks: #201-250 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts, Submit English language requirements, Check program specific requirements | Counselor LOR along with 2 academic LORs. CSS profile. Optional alumni interviews may be conducted. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | Owen Graduate School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.4/10 Read 4 reviews | 9.2/10 Read 1 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 61 for Business by US News 2025 # 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 551 for Business by QS World University 2024 | # 18 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 630/800GRE - 311/340IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 79/120 | Duolingo - 130/160GRE - 311/340IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -47679 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -62750 |
| application dates | Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) | Jul 31, 2024 (Rolling Admissions Application Last Date) Jan 31, 2025 (Early Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Mar 31, 2025 (Application Deadline 1 For 2025 Intake) May 31, 2025 (Application Deadline 2 For 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Kentucky | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1865 | 1873 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 3:1 |
| Male:Female | 45% Male, 55% Female | 49% Male, 51% Female |
| Location Facts | The University of Kentucky is located in the city of Lexington, which is about 80 miles south of Cincinnati and 200 miles northeast of Nashville. | Located sothwest of downtown West End Avenue, Vanderbilt University is roughly nine miles from Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. It is surrounded by cityscape of Nationville. |
| Library | UK Libraries’ mission is to ignite the human drive to discover, create, and connect by facilitating access to information, empowering learners, and collaborating with the communities to advance knowledge, enhance scholarship, and preserve the history and culture of the Commonwealth. | The heard libraries of Vanderbilt have 2,993,999 print items collection, 2,801,503 electronic items collection, 38,627 linear feet in special collection and university archives. It also has 1,118,709 TV and news collection. |
| Campus Life | The University of Kentucky provides you with a world-class education, filled with the possibility of new ideas and learning experiences that will prepare you for the future. But life on campus also offers plenty of other experiences beyond what takes place solely in a classroom. With more than 500 student organizations, there's an activity for you at the University of Kentucky. Join an intramural athletic team, even if you’re not an athlete. Give back through the Center for Community Outreach and its programs like DanceBlue, a 24 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon to raise money for the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic and cancer research. UK's Living Learning Program allows you to live and study subjects and topics with other students right in your residence hall. Outside your room, you can explore dozens of great dining options ranging from home-cooking to international fare. And you can stay in shape at one of the two state-of-the-art student fitness centers – Alumni Gym, located in the Gatton Student Center, or the Johnson Center; both feature the latest workout equipment, group fitness classes, and more all within walking distance of your residence hall. | You can indulge in various co-curriculars through 430 student organizations and clubs, various events and activities are celebrated throughout the academic year. It also has field 16 varisty sports teams, 40 sports clubs and 40 intramural sports being offered to student. There are also a variety of eating options on campus. |
| Hostel | #Housing & Food (with dependents) - $13070 #Housing & Food - $15912 #Housing & Food (without dependents) - $16016 #Housing & Food (with Parents) - $9610 | #On campus - $11540 |
| Famous Alumni | Don Ball, Founder of Ball Homes Wendell Cherry, Founder of Humana Joe Craft, CEO of Alliance Resource Partners, a large coal producer, and philanthropist Carol Martin "Bill" Gatton, Businessman and major contributor to the university Rodney McMullen, CEO of The Kroger Company Chris T. Sullivan, Founder of Outback Steakhouse | Al Gore (former vice-president of US), James Patterson (author), Mhd. Yunnus (Bangladesi social entrepreneur), Jay Cutler (football quarterback), Lamar Alexander (US senator), David Farr (CEO Emerson Electric), Rossane Cash (singer-songwriter), Robert Penn Warren (poet), James Dickey (poet). |
| City Life | Lexington blends influences from the South and Midwest to create a cultural identity all its own. A college town, Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky, which is the city's largest school and employer. The university plays an important role in the city by providing a constant influx of young, educated people into the culture and economy. Lexington is serious about college basketball. Residents support the University of Kentucky Wildcats with a fervor that surpasses the fan base of some professional teams. Kentucky fans camp out for tickets to "Big Blue Madness," the official kickoff to the season, which features an exhibition-style team scrimmage. When UK is playing, streets and restaurants are deserted, and when they win a national championship, the downtown streets look like New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Lexington's population is growing, which has contributed to a slow increase in the cost of living. Despite this, Lexington is still very affordable compared with other metro areas around the country. Due to the city's large college population, rental housing is abundant and inexpensive. Whether renting or purchasing a home, your dollar will go further in Lexington than in many other U.S. cities. However, like with many other metro areas in the country, housing prices in Lexington have seen an increase in recent years. | Nashville is culturally rich, commercial hub in the south. It is highly acknowledged for its rich music culture. Nashville has a lot to offer like musical hall of fame, museums, belcourt, metro parks, state parks, etc. There are 30,000 lakes that add on to Nashvilles natural beauty. The unemployement rate for June 2020 is 10.2%. |
| Weather |
University of Kentucky vs Vanderbilt University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Vanderbilt University is consistently positioned in the global top 150–200 range, and is distinguished in programs such as Medicine, Education, Business, Law, and the Social Sciences. The University of Kentucky (UK) typically falls in the global ranking of the top 500–600 and is represented as a very strong university in Pharmacy, Medicine, Agriculture and Engineering programs. Vanderbilt is internationally known across many disciplines, while UK is more regionally strong in particular healthcare and agriculture disciplines.
General Information
Vanderbilt was established in 1873 and is a private research university in Nashville, TN. It serves approximately 14,000 students and is known for academic excellence, elite selectivity, and an outstanding reputation for both liberal arts and professional programs. The University of Kentucky was established in 1865 in Lexington and is the state's flagship public research university with approximately 32,000 students, focused on a medical and agricultural contribution. Vanderbilt offers a smaller community within a college town, more selective and more prestigious compared to UK - a very large public community and statewide contribution.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Vanderbilt is extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 6.3%, with applicants primarily being top-of-the-line in students' home states and abroad. UK has a much higher acceptance rate with an approximate 92% acceptance rate - although students applying to Nursing and Pharmacy programs are more competitive; simply academic performance will not guarantee acceptance. Vanderbilt uses an admissions process with a focus primarily on academic excellence, extracurriculars, and leadership positions. UK offers large accessibility, with a specialized selectivity for the medical profession.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are R1 research institutions. Vanderbilt is globally recognized for cutting-edge research in medicine, education policy, law, and business, with strong interdisciplinary centers and one of the top medical schools in the U.S. UK has significant research in pharmacy, agriculture, and cancer treatment, with a large regional medical campus. Vanderbilt dominates in global reach and reputation, while Kentucky makes substantial contributions regionally in applied research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Vanderbilt’s tuition for international students is about $63,000–65,000 annually, though it offers generous need-based and merit-based financial aid, often reducing costs for admitted students. UK’s international tuition averages $32,000–35,000 annually, with more limited but still competitive scholarship opportunities, particularly in STEM and healthcare fields. While Vanderbilt is more expensive on paper, its financial aid can make it affordable for high-achieving students.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success
Vanderbilt graduates are highly competitive in business, medicine, law, policy, and academia, benefiting from an influential global alumni network and strong employer connections. UK graduates succeed in healthcare, pharmacy, agriculture, and engineering, with strong placements regionally in Kentucky and the surrounding states. Vanderbilt provides global prestige and elite opportunities, while Kentucky offers more targeted pathways in healthcare and technical industries.
