Demographics
The majority of the class is composed of domestic students, as reported by Vanderbilt.
The Class of 2023 hails from a number of states, with the highest proportions being from Tennessee, Illinois, Texas and New York. Few students reported being from Louisiana, Vermont, Maine, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
Most of the graduating class identified as white. A majority, 78%, also identified as heterosexual, 18% identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community and 4% identified as questioning or unsure. Around 49% of the Class of 2023 identified as female, 47% as male and 3% as nonbinary.
“Diversity at Vanderbilt is probably one of the most significant contributors to my education and growth as a person,” former Dores in Solidarity with Palestine President Laith Kayat (’23) said. “While Vanderbilt’s campus still has a long way to go in terms of providing equitable access and further diversifying, it is clear that we’ve come a long way and are constantly working toward growth.”
Kayat added that Vanderbilt’s cultural showcases and organizations “help build community in a place that historically was not built to be inclusive to a diverse student body.”
Elise Miller (‘23) worked at the K.C. Potter Center during her time at Vanderbilt and stated that students in the university’s LGBTQ+ community experience unique struggles.
“A big way queer students might experience Vandy differently is in how students find community,” Miller said. “A large portion of Vandy participates in Greek Life to create community, but that leaves out many LGBTQ+ students who feel they don’t fit in in the Greek space. Those students have to find community and friends in less obvious ways.”
Miller added that living in Tennessee creates additional stressors for LGBTQ+ students at Vanderbilt.
“We face stressors during the school year due to politics and lawmaking that other students might not have to think about,” Miller said.
The same proportion — about 10% of students — come from households with income below $50,000 or over $1,000,000. The largest proportion of students have household incomes between $200,000 and $499,999.
For those with household incomes under $500,000, the majority of students attended public schools. Conversely, those with incomes over $500,000 were more likely to attend private schools compared to their counterparts in lower household income ranges.
The proportion of first-generation students was also lower in higher-income households compared to those from lower household income brackets, with the exception of those with household incomes above $1,000,000.
From early decision to waitlist acceptances and junior-year transfers, the Class of 2023 joined Vanderbilt in various ways. The largest proportions of students were admitted through early decision I or regular decision, at 36% and 37%, respectively.
A majority of students in the Class of 2023 did not receive any merit aid to attend. An additional 17% received partial merit aid, while 9% received full merit aid for the cost of tuition. Only 2% of students stated that they were recruited athletes.
