Head-to-head · 2026
Christian Brothers University vs Vanderbilt University
Compare average net price ($9,854 at Christian Brothers University; $15,846 at Vanderbilt University), ROI score (14.58 vs 14.45), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($57,478 vs $91,565), and admissions selectivity (86.7% acceptance at Christian Brothers University; 5.9% at Vanderbilt University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Christian Brothers University | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.58 ✓ | 14.45 |
| Avg net price | $9,854 ✓ | $15,846 |
| 4-year avg net price | $39,416 ✓ | $63,384 |
| In-state tuition | $38,420 | $67,498 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,420 | $67,498 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $57,478 | $91,565 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 86.7% | 5.9% |
| Graduation rate | 54.7% | 93.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 74.9% | 96.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $14,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 905 | 7,208 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1098 | 1549 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Christian Brothers University | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,466 | $3,414 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,657 | $1,876 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,023 | $4,498 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,839 | $12,153 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $5,843 ✓ | $45,145 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Christian Brothers University | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.9% | 5.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.5% | 9.4% |
| Computer Science | 3% | 4.7% |
| Psychology, General | 3.9% | 2.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.4% | 1.5% |
| Mathematics | 1.6% | 3.2% |
| Biology, General | 3.3% | 0.8% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2.7% | 1.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Christian Brothers University reports the lower average net price by $5,992 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $23,968 difference over four years ($39,416 vs $63,384).
Vanderbilt University reports $34,087 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($91,565 vs $57,478). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.9% at Christian Brothers University and 96.3% at Vanderbilt University. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $14,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Christian Brothers University vs Vanderbilt University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Christian Brothers University is cheaper — average net price $9,854 per year vs $15,846 at Vanderbilt University. The annual difference of $5,992 adds up to about $23,968 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Vanderbilt University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $91,565 vs $57,478 at Christian Brothers University. The gap in the federal data is $34,087. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Vanderbilt University is more selective at 5.9% acceptance vs 86.7% at Christian Brothers University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.