University Insights

Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate Drops to 4.6% For Class of 2029

Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate Drops to 4.6% For Class of 2029
2025/09/08

Arkesh P.

Chief Operating Officer

Summary

Vanderbilt’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 dropped to 4.6%, the lowest in recent years, amid a rise in applicants, from around 47,000 to 50,084. Early Decision candidates experienced a notable advantage with a 13.2% admit rate, while Regular Decision remained much more competitive at 3.3%. These results underscore the university's heightened selectivity and highlight the importance of a strategically crafted application.

Vanderbilt has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029! Out of 50,084 applicants, Vanderbilt accepted 2,304 students, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 4.6%. Here's a detailed breakdown and insights to help prospective applicants better understand the evolving admissions landscape.

Class of 2029 Overview

Admission RoundApplicantsAdmittedAcceptance Rate
Early Decision (I & II Combined)6,76289313.2%
Regular Decision (RD)43,3221,4113.3%
Overall50,0842,3044.6%
Advice from our Crimson Strategists

Vanderbilt's admissions remain fiercely competitive, demanding not only exceptional academic performance but also evidence of meaningful engagement and genuine passion. Applicants should focus on standing out authentically rather than merely fitting into a perceived mold.

Vanderbilt's Regular Decision Acceptance Results

Regular Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028

Admission RoundClass of 2029Class of 2028% Change
Applications Received 43,32241,336+4.8%
Applications Accepted1,4111,512-6.7%
RD Acceptance Rate3.3%3.7%-10.8%

The RD acceptance rate continues to be significantly lower than the ED acceptance rate.

Similar to previous years, the RD cycle at Vanderbilt is extremely competitive. However, this year, a 4.8% increase in applicants combined with a 6.7% decrease in admissions further increased this competitiveness.

This year's RD rate is actually the lowest in the past 5 years and the growing applicant pool reflects heightened interest in Vanderbilt's programs. Despite that, admissions continue to tighten, maintaining the institution’s rigorous standards.

Vanderbilt's Early Decision Acceptance Results

Early Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028

Admission RoundClass of 2029Class of 2028% Change
Applications Received 6,7625,835+15.9%
Applications Accepted893889+0.4%
ED Acceptance Rate13.2%15.2%-13.2%

Similar to the RD acceptance rate, Vanderbilt's ED rate also decreased.

The ED acceptance rate dropped from 15.2% to 13.2%, representing a 13.2% decrease and the lowest acceptance rate in at least the past 5 years.

This is the result of the significant increase in applicants, rising by 15.9%. While the number of applicants soared, the number of admitted students remained static, with only a marginal increase.

Why Apply Early Action?

Historical Acceptance Rates at Vanderbilt

Class of Total ApplicationsTotal AcceptedTotal Acceptance RateRD Acceptance RateED Acceptance Rate
202950,0842,3044.6%3.3%13.2%
202847,1712,4015.08%3.7%15.2%
202747,120~2,645 5.6%4.2%15.7%
2026~46,659~2,8526.1%4.7%17.6%
202552,223~4,0757.8%6.7%18.1%
How To Stand Out in Vanderbilt's Admissions Process
  • Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades and a high GPA.
  • Strong Essays: Use your essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
  • Leadership and Extracurriculars: Demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
  • Test Scores: If submitting, aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above Vanderbilt's reported range.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations to all students admitted to Vanderbilt's Class of 2029 — your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence. For those considering applying to Vanderbilt in the future, the admissions landscape is increasingly competitive, making strategic preparation essential. Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering tailored guidance to build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.

If you're a student or parent interested in Vanderbilt or other top universities, Crimson can help.

Our holistic, personalized, and proven approach — including expert essay reviewing and mentoring services — has set a new standard in comprehensive college admissions consulting.

Want to know more?

  • Learn why Crimson stands out for its dedication to helping motivated students around the world access transformative universities.
  • See for yourself what our track record says about the caliber of our consultants and their commitment to student growth and to getting results.

To get connected, join an upcoming event or webinar.

Then, be sure to book a free consultation with one of our admissions counselors. You'll be amazed to discover how knowledgeable our counselors are and find out how well we can tailor our support to your specific goals and challenges.

What Makes Crimson Different

Read Next

Book a free consultation with one of our expert advisors.