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Vanderbilt University vs The University of the South: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Nashville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Sewanee TN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Vanderbilt University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,384 in 1.5 years versus 6.7 years at The University of the South, on median earnings of $91,565 vs $64,911 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureVanderbilt UniversityThe University of the South
Net price / yr$15,846$27,872
Total net cost$63,384$111,488
Median earnings, 10 yrs$91,565$64,911
Median debt$14,000$22,855
Payback1.5 yrs6.7 yrs
20-year net return$800,716$219,532

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Vanderbilt University or The University of the South?

Vanderbilt University, at $15,846 a year after aid versus $27,872 — a gap of $12,026 a year, or $48,104 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Vanderbilt University or The University of the South graduates earn more?

Vanderbilt University graduates report a median $91,565 ten years after entry, $26,654 more than the $64,911 at The University of the South. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Vanderbilt University or The University of the South?

Vanderbilt University: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $22,855 at The University of the South, a difference of $8,855. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at Vanderbilt University, against 80% at The University of the South. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Vanderbilt University vs The University of the South: frequently asked questions

Is Vanderbilt University or The University of the South a better value?
Vanderbilt University. It clears its $63,384 net cost in about 1.5 years versus 6.7 years at The University of the South, on median earnings of $91,565 vs $64,911 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Vanderbilt University or The University of the South?
Vanderbilt University: $15,846/yr net price after aid versus $27,872/yr at The University of the South — a difference of $12,026 a year, or about $48,104 over four years.
Do Vanderbilt University or The University of the South graduates earn more?
Vanderbilt University graduates earn a median $91,565 ten years after entry, versus $64,911 at The University of the South — a $26,654 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.