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Vanderbilt University

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History

Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt was in his 79th year when he decided to make the gift that founded Vanderbilt University in the spring of 1873. For the first 40 years of its existence, Vanderbilt was under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 

Education

Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education and human development, as well as a full range of graduate and professional degrees.

Research

Vanderbilt is home to more than 85 centers and institutes that work to tackle major challenges and meet important societal needs by bringing together faculty from a broad range of disciplines and producing cutting edge research. A center or institute is generally defined as a unit of the university engaged in combined aspects of research, scholarship, instruction, outreach or related service. Most commonly, a center or institute will have a substantial research/scholarship component to its mission, and also may have affiliated education programs. 

Career

The Career Center serves undergraduates enrolled full-time in all Vanderbilt schools and colleges, and we also provide career coaching to recent graduates (0-2 years out).

University Ranking

Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
66
2023
66 -2
2022
64
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
90 2
2024
92 6
2023
98
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
248 13
2024
261 -62
2023
199
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
63 15
2023
78
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world.

Student services

Student Services:

  • Active Citizenship and Service
  • Address Change
  • Bookstore
  • Computer Labs
  • Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services Department
  • International Student & Scholar Services
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life Office
  • Reserve a Room
  • Student Leadership Development
  • University Chaplain and Religious Life
  • Women's Center

Housing services

The Office of Housing and Residential Education provides safe, secure, comfortable, accessible and healthy housing for its residents. Programming for residents builds communities in which students’ social needs for belonging, friendship, recognition, respect and dignity are met. These communities foster learning, personal development, academic achievement, and successful transitions for both new students and graduates.

Library services

The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university’s goal of advancing scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve and make accessible a wide variety of resources, we partner with faculty and students to shape research, and we encourage the development of informed scholars and engaged citizens.

ICT services

Vanderbilt Information Technology is a division of Vanderbilt University, formally created July 1, 2013, with the mission of providing world-class information technology to Vanderbilt University and Medical Center. As of May 2016, the Medical Center and the university are legally separate entities, and this organization serves the university community.

Medical services

Health and Wellness is the award winning umbrella division for three programs that provide support for the health and productivity of faculty and staff. There are multiple activities offered 24/7 at all Vanderbilt campuses.

Campus life

Located a mile and a half southwest of downtown Nashville, Vanderbilt is home to more than 300 tree and shrub varieties and was designated an arboretum in 1988. The oldest building on the original campus was constructed around 1859. The Peabody College section of campus has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark since 1966. Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, located about nine miles from campus, also is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • 333 acres
  • 177 buildings
  • Total physical plant: 9.0 million square feet
  • Real estate (54 buildings): 2.7 million square feet

Sports facilities

  • Men's varsity teams: Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis
  • Women's varsity teams: Basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field

Student clubs

Our multidisciplinary philosophy isn’t limited to academics. The value we place on community brings students, faculty and staff together to keep more than 530 organizations up and running and the varied interests of more than 6,800 undergraduates fulfilled.

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelors, masters, professional, and doctoral degrees.

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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