Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Tennessee law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Vanderbilt University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 170 vs 164); Vanderbilt University posts the higher first-time bar passage (94.51% vs 91.94%); Tennessee is cheaper on sticker tuition ($16,696 vs $76,440); Vanderbilt University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.8% vs 92.7%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Tennessee | Vanderbilt University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 164 | 170 | Vanderbilt University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.89 | 3.91 | Vanderbilt University |
| Acceptance rate | 24.8% | 13.3% | Vanderbilt University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $16,696 | $76,440 | Tennessee |
| Non-resident tuition | $35,140 | $76,440 | Tennessee |
| Median grant | $10,550 | $32,792 | Vanderbilt University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 91.94% | 94.51% | Vanderbilt University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.66% | 95.48% | Vanderbilt University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +13.4 pts | +13.5 pts | Vanderbilt University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.7% | 98.8% | Vanderbilt University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 13.7% | 56.3% | Vanderbilt University |
| Federal clerkships | 4.8% | 10.8% | Vanderbilt University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Tennessee full profile · Vanderbilt University full profile · All Tennessee law schools
FAQ
Is Tennessee or Vanderbilt University harder to get into?
Vanderbilt University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 170 against Tennessee's 164.
Which is cheaper, Tennessee or Vanderbilt University?
Tennessee is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $16,696 versus Vanderbilt University's $76,440.
Which has better bar passage, Tennessee or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University has the higher first-time bar passage, 94.51% against Tennessee's 91.94%.
Which has better job outcomes, Tennessee or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.8% vs 92.7%).
Tennessee vs Vanderbilt University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Vanderbilt University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.