Columbia University vs Vanderbilt University
Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools
Getting in
Cost and aid
Outcomes
Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.
Columbia University or Vanderbilt University?
Is Columbia University harder to get into than Vanderbilt University?
They are about equally selective: Columbia University admitted 4.9% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and Vanderbilt University admitted 5.4% (2025-26).
What SAT scores do Columbia University and Vanderbilt University students have?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1560 at Columbia University and 1510–1560 at Vanderbilt University.
Which is cheaper, Columbia University or Vanderbilt University?
Before aid, Columbia University costs about $96,610 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $96,896 at Vanderbilt University (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $78,198 at Columbia University and $77,563 at Vanderbilt University.
Does Columbia University or Vanderbilt University have a higher graduation rate?
96% of Columbia University students graduate within six years, compared with 92.6% at Vanderbilt University.
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