Vanderbilt University Law School (VLS) is located in Nashville, Tennessee. This private university’s law program was founded in 1874. The student population is 53% women and 33% minorities. The median age is 23.

Vanderbilt University Law School has an acceptance rate of 14.25%. To enter the program in fall of 2021 there were 6,884 applications, 981 acceptances, and 149 students chose to enroll. Prospective VLS students may request an interview with an alumnus during the application process. The school intentionally keeps their student body small in effort to provide an enriching and personalized experience. This small size also drives elite faculty to the university.

Students at the university have a median LSAT score of 169 (ranging from 165 to 170) and a median GPA of 3.89 (ranging from 3.7 to 3.95). All applicants must submit LSAT scores with their application. 5% of accepted students have already completed another graduate degree and 51% have been out of college for at least one year. Students at Vanderbilt represent 85 undergraduate institutions and 31 states as well as Puerto Rico and Canada.

Tuition for VLS is $66,696 per year. Students are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply. The school also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program which veterans may take advantage of.

There are ten concentrations at VLS including Corporate Law, Criminal Justice, Public Interest, Social Justice, Law & Innovation, and more. Additionally, students may pursue a Law & Business certificate or a V-Legal Executive Online certificate. For those who have a passion in another field, dual degree options are available. These include an MBA, MS in finance, PhD in Neuroscience, MPP, M.Div., PhD in law and economics, or MD.

VLS offers many clinics, externships, and practicum experiences for students. VLS students have the option to join the Vanderbilt Law School Pro Bono Pledge and dedicate a portion of their time in school to pro bono legal work. There are many diverse ways for students to get involved in the community in Nashville and enhance their own legal knowledge while completing their JD and helping others.

On campus there are many student-led groups including the Criminal Law Association, Health Law Society, Immigration Law Society, Space Law Society, International Law Society, and more, all focused on different legal areas.

Most VLS graduates work in New York, Tennessee, or Washington, D.C. In the last graduating class, 5 students were employed in foreign countries. 93.1% of graduates from Vanderbilt are employed within ten months of graduation. Graduates earn an average salary of $124,808 a year.

97.06% of students who take the bar exam pass it within two years of graduation. 24 graduates from the class of 2021 are employed in small law firms (250 or less) and 116 are employed in large law firms (251 or more). 173 graduates are employed in a position where passing the bar is required and 5 are employed in a position where holding a JD is an advantage. 16 graduates hold federal clerkships. Additionally, 2 work in business or industry, 12 work in government, 8 are employed in public interest, and 1 works in academia.

Nashville is the perfect place to live for those who love history, music, and natural beauty. The campus was designated as a national arboretum in 1988 due to its variety of foliage. In 2022, Nashville was named the top travel designation in the world by the National Geographic and Kiplinger has called the city the smartest place to live.