Calling all Vandys (and hopefuls!). Vanderbilt University has just released admissions data for the Class of 2029, bucking a trend among many elite colleges of its caliber to keep acceptance rate data under wraps by instead opting for complete transparency. Well done, Vanderbilt! This data underscores the emergence of Vanderbilt as one of the most highly highly selective colleges in the country, with broken records across the board over the past decade. Read on to get the scoop on this rising star’s recent triumphs in college admissions.

Vanderbilt University Acceptance Rate and Statistics (Classes of 2029 — 2025)

Vanderbilt University Class Year	Total Applications Received	Total Applications Accepted	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029	55,443	2,302	4.70%
Class of 2028	47,171	2,401	5.10%
Class of 2027	45,313	2,844	6.20%
Class of 2026	46,377	3,093	6.70%
Class of 2025	47,152	3,368	7.10%

Vanderbilt’s Class of 2029 in Historical Perspective

No matter how you swing it, this was a historic year for the Commodores in Nashville, Tennessee. A record 55,443 applicants applied this year, which dwarfs last year’s tally of 47,171 (which was the previous record). As noted by a report from The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vanderbilt’s yield rate has also been on an upward trajectory in recent years, which perhaps accounts for the lower number of accepted applications this year as admissions officers anticipate a higher yield (last year’s Class of 2028 set the highest yield thus far for the private research university, at 61.2%). Only Notre Dame has Vanderbilt beat for yield when it comes to schools ranked in the high teens on the US News and World Report list. 

Why Vanderbilt is Doing a Victory Lap as Other Schools Conceal Their Increased Acceptances

Moreover, Vanderbilt’s success this year is underscored by the fact that many of its peer institutions have experienced stagnating or even increasing acceptance rates. What’s Ivy Coach’s theory for Vanderbilt’s success despite such a bad year for its peers? That academically ambitious high school seniors, turned off by Ivy League scandals and high-profile incidents of antisemitism on such campuses, are flocking to Vanderbilt in droves. Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeir has also been among the most active, outspoken university leaders in courting Jewish students who may have been turned off by the blind eye many Ivy League administrations turned to rising antisemitism on their campuses over the last couple of years. It could also be that the warmer weather of fair Tennessee appeals to this new batch of students. Or it could be that word has gotten out about the university’s strong academic programs and research opportunities. Either way, things are looking up for this school, which was considered a moderately selective mid-grade university twenty or so years ago.

The Demographics of Vanderbilt University’s Class of 2029

According to The Vanderbilt Hustler, students in the Class of 2029 hail from all 50 states and represent 87 countries. International students make up 15.2% of those admitted in Regular Decision, while 15.5% identify as first-generation. One out of ten Regular Decision admits come from rural communities.

That is, however, the extent of the demographic information on these students. In post-Affirmative Action fashion, we don’t know their racial or ethnic makeup. Nor do we know how many are financial aid-eligible or their intended majors. Those details will all soon be published in Vanderbilt’s next iteration of The Common Data Set.

Getting Started with Ivy Coach on the Vanderbilt Waitlist

Congratulations are in order for the newly admitted Vanderbilt Class of 2029! Unfortunately, not every prospective Vandy is celebrating the arrival of these decisions. If you’ve been waitlisted to Vanderbilt, remember you’re still in control of your destiny. 

If you were waitlisted to Vanderbilt’s Class of 2029, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, note that Vanderbilt waitlisted you, and we’ll be in touch to set up a consultation to delineate our go-forward service led by our team of former elite college admissions officers.