In 1873, Cornelius Vanderbilt - known as "the Commodore" - made a transformative $1 million gift to establish a university in the South that would "contribute to strengthening the ties which should exist between all sections of our common country." What began with one Main Building (now Kirkland Hall), an astronomical observatory, and a vision for national unity has evolved into one of the world's premier research institutions. For over 150 years, Vanderbilt University has forged a tradition of academic excellence infused with a unique spirit of collaboration and collegiality, pushing new ideas into the frontiers of discovery and challenging the limits of what's possible.
Today, Vanderbilt's 340-acre parklike campus in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee - an accredited arboretum - serves approximately 7,300 undergraduate and 6,200 graduate and professional students across 11 schools and colleges. As an R1 research university with over $1 billion in annual research and development expenditures, Vanderbilt ranks among the top 25 private universities for research and innovation by the National Science Foundation. The university's culture of radical collaboration, combined with its residential college system and commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduates through Opportunity Vanderbilt, creates an environment where students tailor their education to meet their goals and researchers collaborate to solve complex questions affecting health, culture, and society. From 4 Nobel Laureates to groundbreaking discoveries in molecular physiology, Vanderbilt continues to live by its motto, "Crescere aude" - dare to grow.