Key differences on Students & campus

1
Columbia has 13 pts more first-gen students than Vanderbilt (25% vs. 12%)
First-generation students
2
Columbia is more diverse (index 0.81 vs. 0.77)
Diversity index
3
Columbia is a bit larger (8,973 vs. 7,355)
Undergrads

Students

Students & campus

Who's on each campus, how many get Pell Grants or are the first in their family, and campus life.

Who's on campus

Undergrads

Columbia9KLargest

Vanderbilt7.4K

Pell Grant share

Columbia23%Highest

Vanderbilt20%

First-gen share

Columbia25%Highest

Vanderbilt12%

Diversity index

Columbia0.81Most

Vanderbilt0.77

Who they are

Men

Columbia50%

Vanderbilt47%

Part-time students

Columbia7%

Vanderbilt1%

Students 25 and older

Columbia14%

Vanderbilt0%

Race & ethnicity

Columbia

Vanderbilt

White
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Black
Two or more
International
Other/unknown

Where they're from

First-years from in state

Columbia16%

Vanderbilt13%

First-years from other states

Columbia63%

Vanderbilt73%

First-years from abroad

Columbia20%

Vanderbilt14%

New transfer students this fall

Columbia710

Vanderbilt359

Transfers, share of new undergraduates

Columbia31%

Vanderbilt18%

Campus

Columbia

Large cityNCAA D-I FCS · Ivy GroupROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

Vanderbilt

Large cityFirst-years live on campusNCAA D-I FBS · Southeastern ConferenceROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

LGBTQ+ policies

Each item is dated: either the college's own page, checked on that date, or a national list's claim, read on that date — never a plain “yes” or “no.” A key missing for a college isn't shown as “no”: nothing was found for it.

Policy	Columbia	Vanderbilt
Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression	Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive housing	Gender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Gender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Chosen name and pronouns on campus records	Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online	Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Student health plan covers transition-related care	Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)

All student numbers in the table

Sources:College Scorecard, Fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Fall 2023;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level), Fall 2024;IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD), 2025–26;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Vanderbilt University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)

Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why