Tufts University was founded in 1852. The private institution is located in Medford, Massachusetts. (About five miles from Boston.) The suburban campus is about 150 acres, and freshmen and sophomores are required to live in on-campus housing. With a bit over 5,500 undergraduates, Tufts has been able to remain an intimate place for critical thinking and research opportunities.
The undergraduate programs at Tufts include the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, and the College of Special Studies (which hands out bachelor of fine arts degrees through the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.)
The most popular majors include international relations and affairs, biology, economics, political science and government, and psychology. Tufts also offers programs through the Experimental College. Although the college does not give degrees, it gives students the chance to take classes for credit in a variety of different fields. This allows them to take courses from non-academics and explore various interests. Upperclassmen are also able to create and teach their own classes.
Tufts has a thriving social atmosphere on campus. About 9 percent of students participate in Greek life. (As part of the nine fraternities, three sororities, and one co-ed group.) The university is also well known for its biweekly magazine, “The Tufts Observer,” which was founded in 1895. The newspaper, “Tufts Daily,” has been named one of the best college newspapers in the country.
Tufts also has a strong athletic program. They participate in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III levels. Their mascot is Jumbo the elephant, because one of the original trustees was P.T. Barnum. Barnum was famous for his circuses, and the elephant has remained behind the school spirit of Tufts University. There is even an elephant statue near Barnum Hall (the biology building).
Students looking for a suburban atmosphere just a short distance from a big city should investigate Tufts University. Their individualized courses of study and strong faculty members should entice students interested in flexible, yet enriching academic programs. With notable alumni including senators and Olympians, Tufts offers numerous opportunities for all its undergraduates. The on-campus social traditions and activities also provide a well-rounded college experience for all students.
Acceptance Rate
Academic Qualifications
SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
Application Deadlines
Early decision (Round 1): Nov. 1 (Applicants notified December 15.)
Early decision (Round 2): Jan. 1 (Applicants notified February 15.)
Regular decision: Jan. 1 (Applicants notified by April 1.)
Transfer deadline: Mar. 15 (Applicants notified by mid June.)
Admissions Criteria
Freshmen Admissions
Number of 2018 (Class of 2022) applicants: 21,502
Enrolled: 1,410
Yield: 45.1%
Acceptance rate: 14.6%
Early Decision Admissions
Number of 2018 ED (Class of 2022) applicants: 2,249
Admitted: 662
Acceptance rate: 28.7%
Transfer Admissions
Number of applicants: 1,131
Admitted: 109
Acceptance rate: 9.6%
Waitlist Admissions
Applicants placed on waitlist: 635
Admitted: 0
Acceptance rate: 0%
Academic Qualifications
Average GPA: N/A
Top 10% of High School: 80%
Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-760
SAT Math: 710-780
Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 31-34
Standardized Test Requirements
SAT/ACT required
Writing portion not required
SAT Subject Tests required for some applicants
Graduation Rates
Loan Defaults and Rhodes Scholars
Salary After Attending
R&D Expenditures
Campus Safety
Score Card Information
Graduation Rates
4 years: 87%
5 years: 92%
6 years: 93%
Transferred to another school: 4%
Loan default rate: 1.2%
Total Rhodes Scholars: 4
Salary after attending: $75,800
R&D Expenditures: $223.4 million
Campus Safety
Sex offenses: 20
Robberies: 1
Aggravated assaults: 2
Burglaries: 12
Car thefts: 0
Net Cost and Total Expected Cost of Attendance
Average Net Price By Income
Student Debt
Additional Information
Tuition, room and board (2018-2019): $69,732
Total estimated cost of attendance (2018-2019): $73,500
Net Cost
Average: $29,449
By income
$0 to $30,000: $6,629
$30,001 to $48,000: $13,734
$48,001 to $75,000: $20,510
$75,001 to $110,000: $27,185
$110,001 and more: $48,397
Graduates with student debt: 34%
Average student debt at graduation: $27,367
Student Residence
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Student to Faculty Ratio
Student Population
Additional Information
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9 to 1
Women: 50%
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Under 20: 70%
20 to 39: 21%
40 to 99: 7%
100+: 2%
Student Population
Total: 11,449
Undergraduate: 5,541
Student Residence
In State: 20%
Out of State: 68%
International: 12%
