Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a private research institution that enrolls approximately 6,857 students. The school has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 10.3%, making admission competitive but possible for qualified applicants. Vanderbilt is well-known for its programs in Education, Engineering, and Law. The school has an average graduation rate of 93%, while graduates of Vanderbilt enjoy early career salaries of approximately ?40–45 lakhs annually (£34,000–39,000).
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), located in St. Louis, Missouri, is a private research institution that enrolls approximately 7,307 students. The school has a highly selective acceptance rate of about 12%, making admission competitive but possible for qualified applicants. WashU is well-known for its programs in Medicine, Business, and Law. The school has an average graduation rate of 94%, while graduates of WashU enjoy early career salaries of approximately ?45–50 lakhs annually (£38,000–43,000).
| Vanderbilt University | Washington University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.7 Out of 10 | 6.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 92 Times Higher Education 2026 # 250 QS World University 2026 # 56 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 67 Times Higher Education 2026 # 167 QS World University 2026 # 47 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 39 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 70 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 46 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -49 PG Programs -45 | UG Programs -74 PG Programs -48 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6.3 % | 12.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-670 IELTS-7 SAT-1440 TOEFL-89 | GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-90 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 52780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35475 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 11540 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 56300 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 67552 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 29593 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability ranks: #201-250 | Graduate Employability Rankings (2020)- #95 |
| application requirements | Counselor LOR along with 2 academic LORs. CSS profile. Optional alumni interviews may be conducted. | TOEFL scores are prefered as proof of language proficiency. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Owen Graduate School of Management | Olin Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 9.2/10 Read 1 reviews | 8.7/10 Read 4 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 18 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 24 for Business by US News 2025 # 126 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 201 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 130/160GRE - 311/340IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -62750 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -64250 |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Vanderbilt University | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1873 | 1853 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 3:1 | 7:1 |
| Male:Female | 49% Male, 51% Female | 46% Male, 54% Female |
| Location Facts | Located sothwest of downtown West End Avenue, Vanderbilt University is roughly nine miles from Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. It is surrounded by cityscape of Nationville. | There are three campuses and one medical research center. Darnforth Campus is located mostly between Forest park parkway, North Skinker Boulevard, North Big Bend Boulevard, and Wydown Boulevard. |
| Library | 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. | There are 12 libraries under Washington University offering around 5.5 million volumes offered to its students to read from. John M-Olin is the main library houses over 70,000 microfilms, and other 12 libraries at three other campuses offering special collections and more. |
| Campus Life | 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. | The university has 4 galleries, one museum, 15 eateries, and over 600 clubs and societies. There are various health and wellness organizations for students to indulge in. It also has a rich athletic culture and a tradition of over 100 years. The campus also has a career center, disability resources, and more. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $11540 | #On campus - $12986 #Off campus (not with family) - $14082 |
| Famous Alumni | 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). | Bob Behnken (astronaut), Richa Langella (Indian actress), Phyllis Schlafly (author), Quinton Lucas (mayor of Kansas city), Susannah Cahalan (journalist), Brittany Packnett (activist), Peter Sarsgaard (actor), Pooja Kumar (actress), Leana Wen (physician), Joe Madison (football player), Donald Livingston (professor at Emory University), etc. |
| City Life | 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%. | Located on the banks of Western bank of the Mississippi River. Some of the sites Gateway Arch, St Louis Art Museum, Cathedral Basilica, City museum, old courthouse, St. Louis zoo, city hall, etc. It is ranked one of the best cities to live in the USA. It is also home to some of the best companies like Emerson Electric, Centene, Boeing, Energizer, Edward Jones Financial, etc. |
| Weather |
Vanderbilt University vs Washington University in St. Louis
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026):
Vanderbilt University is included among the top 20 universities in the world, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Education, Engineering, and Law programs. Washington University in St. Louis is included among the top 20 universities in the world, known for its research capabilities and a variety of academic programs. It has a strong reputation for its Medicine, Business, and Law programs.
General Information:
Vanderbilt University is a private research university, located on a suburban campus in Nashville, Tennessee, with over 100 offered degrees, and serves more than 6,800 students. Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located on a suburban campus in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 100 offered degrees, and serves more than 7,000 students.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions:
Vanderbilt University has a highly selective admission process with an acceptance rate around 10.3%, and receives a significant volume of in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. Washington University in St. Louis has a highly selective admission process with an acceptance rate around 12%, and receives a significant volume of in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants.
Research Impact & Facilities:
Vanderbilt University is a Carnegie R1 research university with considerable research funding, mostly in education, engineering, and law. It operates state-of-the-art labs, research centers, and collaborates with partners worldwide. Washington University in St. Louis is a Carnegie R1 research university with considerable research funding, mostly in medicine, business, and law. It operates state-of-the-art labs, research centers, and collaborates with partners worldwide.
Cost & Financial Aid:
For international students, Vanderbilt University’s tuition averages between $61,000–63,000 per year; Washington University in St. Louis’s tuition averages between $65,000–67,000 per year. Both universities offer scholarships for international students, with merit and need-based awards available.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success:
Vanderbilt University graduates usually enter education, engineering, and law roles, benefitting from the university’s strong research opportunities and extensive alumni network. Washington University in St. Louis graduates usually enter medicine, business, and law roles, benefitting from the university’s strong research opportunities and extensive alumni network.
