US News National Universities: #27 (2016) → #27 (2025)
— unchanged
About Tufts University
Tufts University is a private university in Medford, MA with 15,270 students. Its 10.1% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Engineering, and Multidisciplinary.
With an acceptance rate of 10.1%, Tufts University is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.
Your Profile
Tufts University Is...
What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application
Match
Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths
Reach
Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA
Hard Reach
Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates
Tufts University True Cost by Family Income
12% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Tufts enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.
Family Income
Annual Net Price
4-Year Total
vs Sticker Price
$0-30k
$7,200
$28,800
-89%
$30-48k
$9,400
$37,600
-86%
$48-75k
$16,400
$65,600
-75%
$75-110k
$28,600
$114,400
-56%
$110k+
$58,800
$235,200
-10%
Tufts University Programs & Graduate Salary
Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.
Program
US Rank
Tufts University Salary
National Median
Premium
Computer Science
—
$108,750
$75,000
+45%
Engineering
—
$104,400
$72,000
+45%
Mathematics & Statistics
—
$89,900
$62,000
+45%
Health Professions
—
$75,400
$52,000
+45%
Physical Sciences
—
$69,600
$48,000
+45%
Architecture
—
$69,600
$48,000
+45%
Social Sciences
—
$65,250
$45,000
+45%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
—
$60,900
$42,000
+45%
Biological Sciences
—
$60,900
$42,000
+45%
History
—
$58,000
$40,000
+45%
Natural Resources & Conservation
—
$58,000
$40,000
+45%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies
—
$55,100
$38,000
+45%
Philosophy & Religious Studies
—
$55,100
$38,000
+45%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics
—
$55,100
$38,000
+45%
Psychology
—
$52,200
$36,000
+45%
English Language & Literature
—
$52,200
$36,000
+45%
Family & Consumer Sciences
—
$50,750
$35,000
+45%
Visual & Performing Arts
—
$49,300
$34,000
+45%
Popular Majors at Tufts University
Percentage of degrees awarded by field.
Social Sciences
23.4%
Engineering
11.0%
Multidisciplinary
10.2%
Computer Science
9.6%
Biological Sciences
8.9%
Visual/Performing Arts
7.0%
Psychology
5.7%
Health Professions
3.5%
Mathematics/Statistics
3.3%
Foreign Languages
3.1%
Natural Resources
2.7%
Student Demographics
White
44.0%
Black/African American
5.9%
Hispanic/Latino
9.7%
Asian
15.5%
International
11.8%
What Tufts University Looks For in Applicants
Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.
Factor
Importance
Academic Gpa
★★★★★ Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record
★★★★★ Very Important
Class Rank
★★★ Considered
Standardized Test Scores
★★★ Considered
Application Essay
★★★★★ Very Important
Recommendation
★★★★★ Very Important
Extracurricular Activities
★★★★★ Very Important
Talent Ability
★★★★ Important
Character Personal Qualities
★★★★★ Very Important
First Generation
★★★ Considered
Alumni Relation
★★★ Considered
Interview
★★★★ Important
Work Experience
★★★ Considered
Volunteer Work
★★★ Considered
Financial Aid & Student Debt
12.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$60,800
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment
Frequently Asked Questions About Tufts University
What is Tufts's acceptance rate?
Tufts has an acceptance rate of 10.1%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Tufts?
The middle 50% SAT range at Tufts is 1460-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 33-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Tufts?
The most popular majors at Tufts by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (23.4%), Engineering (11.0%), Multidisciplinary (10.2%), Computer Science (9.6%), Biological Sciences (8.9%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
Can I transfer to Tufts?
Tufts accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
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