Is the University of Vermont or Tulane more fun for undergraduates?

Both can be very fun, but they feel fun in very different ways. Tulane’s social life is tied closely to New Orleans, so students have access to live music, festivals, restaurants, and an off-campus city culture that is unusually active for undergraduates. UVM’s fun is more campus-and-outdoors driven, with Burlington giving students a smaller, relaxed college-town scene and easy access to hiking, skiing, lake activities, and weekend trips centered on Vermont’s outdoors.

Tulane tends to fit students who want high energy, warm weather, and a social scene that extends well beyond campus. New Orleans shapes the undergraduate experience in a huge way, and weekends can feel lively even without formal campus programming because the city itself offers so much. Tulane also has a reputation for a socially active student body, and for some students that translates into a more extroverted, going-out oriented atmosphere.

UVM fits students who want a social environment that feels less intense and more grounded in community, nature, and a classic college-town rhythm. Burlington has plenty to do for a smaller city, including food, music, and student-friendly downtown spots, but the vibe is usually more laid-back than Tulane’s. A lot of UVM fun comes from what students do together outdoors, whether that is time on Lake Champlain, ski weekends, trail trips, or just a strong casual hangout culture.

If your idea of fun is spontaneous city life, nightlife, and being surrounded by constant activity, Tulane will likely feel more exciting. If your idea of fun is a friendly campus culture with outdoor adventure and a less pressured social scene, UVM often feels more enjoyable day to day. For many students, Tulane feels more vibrant and fast-moving, while UVM feels more relaxed and naturally social.