Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt's elegant Tennessee campus is widely recognized as one of the nation's most beautiful. Home to forests containing scores of species of trees, it has been designated a national arboretum. Although fewer than half of Vanderbilt's students are from the South, alumni like Al Gore, Lamar Alexander, and Rosanne Cash make up a who's who of Southern politics and culture. The university has a world-class medical school, and its pre-med undergrads receive advising, research opportunities, and other assistance, leading to a 69% medical school acceptance rate. Vanderbilt's liberal arts, humanities, and education programs are also strong. The average graduate at Vanderbilt earns about $62,600 annually within five years, according to PayScale. The Division I Commodores sports teams also stand out: The men's baseball squad won the national championship in 2019, and the women's tennis team won a title in 2015. The football team often gets bowl invitations, playing in 2018 at the Texas Bowl (it lost). Fraternities and sororities play a significant part of the social life on campus at Vandy, and many students take advantage of Nashville's vibrant music scene. The school also has over 500 organizations, including clubs for training in kung fu and a cohort for students who are gluten-free.