Vanderbilt University

A globally renowned center of research and learning, Vanderbilt University takes the top spot on our ranking of the best colleges in Tennessee. Each year, nearly 5,000 students earn their bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree at the university. These graduates go on to join a network of alumni that includes governors, members of Congress, Nobel Prize winners, business leaders, and professional athletes. At Vanderbilt, students explore topics such as applied clinical informatics, educational leadership and policy, mechanical engineering, and public health. In addition to the programs available at the university's campus in downtown Nashville, both the Peabody School of Education and the School of Engineering offer fully online degrees. Applying to Vanderbilt as a first-year student requires a high school diploma or GED, ACT or SAT scores, and at least two letters of recommendation. In addition to their undergraduate transcripts, graduate applicants usually must also submit results from an exam like the GRE or GMAT. Admission to the university is need-blind, and Vanderbilt meets 100% of each student's demonstrated financial need.