Acceptance Rate
11%
Avg. SAT
1560
75th percentile
“Tufts delivers Ivy-caliber academics with a jumbo-sized heart for global citizenship, right in Boston's backyard.”
Medford, MA
Location
Large Suburb
Campus Setting
You'll step onto Tufts' hilltop campus in Medford, Massachusetts, founded in 1852 by Universalist Christians on land donated by merchant Charles Tufts—who quipped he'd rather see it turned into a woodlot than wasted. This legacy birthed a university that punches above its weight, blending rigorous scholarship with a quirky, activist spirit; think P.T. Barnum once serving on its board and gifting the preserved hide and skeleton of his star elephant Jumbo as mascot. Students who thrive here are curious doers—outspoken, service-driven types who launch NGOs in dorms and debate policy over coffee—while those seeking a laid-back party scene or rural escape might chafe at the hustle. The suburban setting offers green quads and Victorian homes, but you're a quick T ride from Boston's buzz, trading isolated college-town insularity for urban temptations that demand self-discipline amid distractions.
Photo Gallery
+20
+12
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Tufts' intimate classrooms, where a 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors like Nobel physicist Daniel Alpert remember your name, you'll dive into discussions that spark real-world action—whether dissecting child nutrition policy at the pioneering Friedman School or prototyping sustainable tech in engineering labs. The university shines in international relations through the elite Fletcher School (feeding undergrads early access), biology, and computer science, with undergrads co-authoring papers at the massive research hubs like the Tufts Institute for Biomedical Innovation. Expect a collaborative vibe over cutthroat competition, but the tradeoff hits introverts hard: dense reading loads and group projects reward bold voices, and while research opps abound for motivated sophomores, humanities feel secondary to STEM and policy stars.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
7,126 undergrad • 6,473 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
43%
Black / African American
6%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
16%
Other / Multi-racial
25%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Medford, MA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at Tufts kicks off with Monday seminars, segues into Thursday club meetings (pick from vegan baking to ultimate frisbee), and peaks with weekend house parties or Fenway outings via the MBTA. You'll live in one of seven residential quads—freshmen cluster on the hilly "Rez" for instant community—fostering tight-knit vibes amid diverse faces from 50 states and 90 countries. Traditions like the raucous Spring Fling concert, JumboDays orientation parades, and the occasional bare quad dashes keep energy high, but Greek life (20% participation) skews selective, leaving some feeling on the fringes. Winters bite with New England slush, and the commuter pull to Boston fragments spontaneous hangs, yet the progressive, joke-loving "jumbly" ethos—complete with elephant statues everywhere—builds loyal bonds that outlast the cold.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
New England Small College Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$8,299
$30K – $48K
$8,970
$48K – $75K
$15,050
$75K – $110K
$26,122
$110K+
$55,841
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
95%
4 Years Graduation Rate
89%
6 Years Graduation Rate
94%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$83,214
95% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Tufts University and return in the fall. 89% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 94% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
89%
4-6 years
5%
Non-grad
6%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$63,804
Acceptance
11%
Undergrads
7,126
4-Year Grad Rate
89%
Endowment
$1.6B
Medford, MA 02155-5555