Vanderbilt University SAT and ACT scores
Nashville, TN · private college · 7,152 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as Vanderbilt University reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
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Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for Vanderbilt University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to Vanderbilt University scored 1500 to 1570, with an average of 1549. A score at or above 1540 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for Vanderbilt University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 34 to 35. A 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does Vanderbilt University require the SAT or ACT?
Vanderbilt University reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does Vanderbilt University accept the CLT?
Vanderbilt University is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in Tennessee with similar scores
- Rhodes CollegeSAT 1300–1486
- Fisk UniversitySAT 1140–1510
- The University of the SouthSAT 1260–1390
- The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleSAT 1200–1370
- Union UniversitySAT 1160–1390
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Amherst CollegeSAT 1490–1580
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitySAT 1500–1570
- Cornell UniversitySAT 1500–1570
- Dartmouth CollegeSAT 1500–1570
- Duke UniversitySAT 1500–1570
- Harvey Mudd CollegeSAT 1500–1570
More about Vanderbilt University
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Vanderbilt University (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026