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Tufts University

Medford, MA·Private nonprofit·6,804 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $103,300 within 10 years; exceptional 93% graduation rate.

10%
Accept
6,804
Students
$35,435
Net Price
93%
Grad Rate
$103,300
Earnings
10 yr
$15,043
Debt

About This School

Tufts University is a private nonprofit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts with approximately 6,804 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 10%. The average net price after financial aid is $35,435 per year. The graduation rate is 93%, and the typical graduate earns $103,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

Tufts University is a private research university in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, United States, with additional facilities in Boston and Grafton, as well as Talloires, France. It was founded in 1852 as Tufts College by Christian universalists who sought to provide a nonsectarian institution of higher learning. For much of the 20th century, Jackson College for Women was the coordinate college of Tufts. Tufts remained a small liberal arts college until the 1970s, when it became a larger research university offering doctorates in several disciplines.

This is a strong option for students who want a research university feel without losing the tight-knit community of a smaller school — a 96% freshman retention rate and 93% graduation rate suggest students genuinely want to stay and finish. The financial picture is better than many elite peers, with median debt at graduation of just $15,043 and earnings of $103,300 a decade out, meaning graduates tend to land well relative to what they borrowed. The main honest concern is access: a 10% acceptance rate makes this a reach for most applicants, so treat it as a serious but realistic stretch, not a safety.

Founded
1852
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Social Sciences24%
Engineering14%
Computer Science11%
Biological Sciences11%
Visual & Performing Arts7%
Psychology6%
Health Professions4%
Mathematics3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Juan Manuel SantosJessica BielWilliam HurtTracy ChapmanRoderick MacKinnonHank AzariaVannevar BushEugene FamaKostas KaramanlisAmeesha PatelRainn WilsonPeter Gallagher

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1513
Reading 75th %ile760
Math 75th %ile790

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite34

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$67,844
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,844
Avg Net Price
$35,435
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants12%
Median debt at graduation$15,043

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
93%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
96%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$103,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$15,043
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$15,043
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$56,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$103,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 6.9x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White42%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian17%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,804 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Tufts University

28 Sawyer Avenue

Medford, MA 02155-5555

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Massachusetts

Browse all Massachusetts schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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