Tufts combines highly selective admissions with exceptional absolute earnings outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces graduates earning in the top 5% nationally while maintaining manageable debt levels below peer institutions, supporting long-term financial success for students who gain admission.
Well above average long-term earnings relative to educational investment
High net costs and limited financial accessibility compared to peer institutions
Strong performance in converting access into earnings growth despite limited low-income enrollment
Strong performance in converting access into earnings growth despite limited low-income enrollment
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTufts delivers strong absolute earnings outcomes despite underperforming relative to student academic credentials. Graduates earn a median of $83,214 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 95.0th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median by $20,148.
Earnings range from $47,081 at the 25th percentile to $132,294 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. However, graduates earn $22,647 less than expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Tufts in the 1.4th percentile for earnings uplift.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings in a highly selective environment, particularly those interested in STEM fields like Computer Science or applied programs like Economics. Well-suited for academically strong students who can handle demanding coursework and competitive peer environments while maintaining access to excellent career outcomes.
Tufts admits approximately 10.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 10 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Tufts among the most selective universities in the United States, in the Highly Selective tier for admission rates between 10-25%.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Tufts' selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among selective private research universities, Tufts' acceptance rate falls at the lower end of the spectrum.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Tufts University's published cost of attendance is $84,600 per year, consisting of $67,844 in tuition, $17,660 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $35,435 after financial aid, representing savings of $49,165 from the sticker price.
This net price exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $8,292, reflecting the premium costs typical of highly selective private universities. The financial aid system provides substantial support, with average aid covering 58% of total costs.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $10,526 for families earning under $30,000 to $53,400 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure targets aid toward lower-income families while maintaining higher costs for families with greater financial capacity.
Students should expect significant variation in their actual costs based on family financial circumstances, with the most substantial aid reserved for families demonstrating the greatest financial need.
Computer Science.
194 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
42 graduates
Applied Economics.
172 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
19 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
28 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Higher acceptance rate (84.4 percentage points higher) and located 53 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 95% | $82,392 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Tufts University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/tufts-university/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for graduate earnings
Tufts University ranks #401 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with composite performance at the 75.4th percentile. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 10.1% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Tufts enrolls 11.6% Pell-eligible students and 15.3% first-generation students, placing it below typical accessibility measures but consistent with highly selective private institutions. Graduates earn a median of $83,214 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 95.0th percentile for long-term earnings.
However, graduates earn $22,647 less than expectations relative to similar students, placing Tufts in the 1.4th percentile for earnings beyond expectations. This combination of highly selective admissions, limited access for low-income students, and strong absolute earnings places Tufts within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with high test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would thrive at Tufts do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.
For this reason, students considering Tufts should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Tufts as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, given the inherent unpredictability of highly selective admission processes.
Tufts graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $68,337 six years after enrollment to $70,761 at eight years and $83,214 at ten years, representing 21.8% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 516 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
Graduates earn $20,148 more than the peer median of $63,066, positioning Tufts well above similar institutions for absolute earnings performance. However, graduates earn $22,647 less than expectations compared to similar students nationally, indicating underperformance relative to the high academic credentials of enrolled students.
Low-income graduates earn $135,600, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating exceptional outcomes for this population. Earnings span from $47,081 at the 25th percentile to $132,294 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 24.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
Tufts offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Computer Science ranks #26 nationally and #4 in Massachusetts, producing 194 graduates with median earnings of $139,886 and a value score of 86.3, making it the institution's flagship program.
Applied Economics ranks #21 nationally and #4 in Massachusetts, graduating 172 students with median earnings of $105,444 and a value score of 90.1. International Relations and Affairs ranks #8 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, graduating 160 students with median earnings of $71,732 and a value score of 89.9.
Biology, General ranks #16 nationally and #5 in Massachusetts, with 152 graduates earning $63,185. Cinematography and Film/Video Production ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts with 37 graduates, demonstrating program excellence despite smaller cohort size.
The institution's diverse program portfolio supports multiple high-performing pathways to career success.
Brandeis University Higher acceptance rate (25.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 8 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 35% | $77,231 | Compare |
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (75.2 percentage points higher) and located 5 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 85% | $82,721 | Compare |
Binghamton University Higher acceptance rate (27.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 38% | $80,596 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-College Park Higher acceptance rate (34.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MD | 45% | $82,860 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Molloy College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#410 ranked) | NY | 76% | $77,789 | #410 | Compare |
University Of La Verne Similar quality tier (#413 ranked) | CA | 48% | $65,464 | #413 | Compare |
University Of Mount Saint Vincent Similar quality tier in Northeast (#399 ranked) | NY | 85% | $65,756 | #399 | Compare |
George Washington University Similar quality tier (#396 ranked) | DC | 44% | $90,873 | #396 | Compare |
Augsburg University Similar quality tier (#389 ranked) | MN | 77% | $58,829 | #389 | Compare |
