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Tufts University

Private

Medford, MA

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Located in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private mid-sized school with roughly 7,061 undergraduates. Tufts University is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 11%. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer Science (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $156,343/year four years out. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate11%
SAT range1470–1560
ACT range33–35
Undergrads7,061
Yield (admits who enroll)50%
Next deadlineNov 2, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$88,300
4-year grad rate93%
Median earnings, 10yr out$83,214

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Tufts University weighs your application

From Tufts University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsVery important
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans19%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out91%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Area Studies$69,037/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$76,782/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$156,343/yr
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering$101,196/yr
Civil Engineering$88,924/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$69,475/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$70,767/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Public Health$75,448/yr
History
History$65,540/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Cognitive Science$130,801/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$77,753/yr
Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology$79,571/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$123,809/yr
Political Science and Government$78,180/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$77,998/yr
Sociology$61,719/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$59,960/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$41,365/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity4,216
Typical room charge$9,142
Typical board charge$7,636

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPAConsidered, not required
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Tufts University look for in applicants?

Per Tufts University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates application essay, character/personal qualities, class rank, academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record, recommendations as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Tufts University's acceptance rate?

Tufts University in Medford, MA admits approximately 11% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Tufts University?

Admitted students at Tufts University typically score between 1470–1560 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Tufts University?

Admitted students at Tufts University typically score between 33–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Tufts University cost?

Tufts University's total cost of attendance is reported at $88,300 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Tufts University?

Tufts University's earliest deadline is Nov 2, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Tufts University require students to live on campus?

No -- Tufts University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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