Students at Tufts University, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, achieve earnings that rank among the very highest in American higher education, with outcomes that dramatically exceed typical expectations.
The university's graduates consistently reach top-tier earning levels that reflect exceptional career preparation and alumni network strength across high-return fields.
Tufts University delivers some of the strongest financial outcomes among all American universities, with graduates earning a median of $83,214 ten years after enrollment—placing the institution in the 97th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. What makes Tufts particularly distinctive is how it combines academic selectivity with exceptional career preparation, especially in high-return fields like computer science, economics, and engineering.
The university serves a relatively affluent student population, with only about 12% of students receiving Pell Grants and roughly 15% being first-generation college students. However, the small number of low-income students who do attend Tufts achieve extraordinary outcomes, earning a median of $135,600 ten years after graduation—among the highest levels we track for any institution. This performance places Tufts in the "Selective Achievers" category, reflecting strong outcomes but limited access for students from lower-income backgrounds.
As a medium-sized private research university in the Boston metropolitan area, Tufts offers the academic rigor and alumni networks typically associated with elite institutions, combined with particularly strong preparation for careers in technology, finance, consulting, and other high-mobility fields. The university's location near Boston provides access to one of the nation's most dynamic job markets, though families should expect substantial upfront investment to access these advantages.
Tufts University's program portfolio reflects its positioning as a selective research university with particular strength in technical fields and pre-professional preparation. Computer Science leads both in scale and financial returns, graduating 194 students annually with median earnings of nearly $98,000—making it the program with the highest aggregate economic impact. Applied Economics, the university's largest major with 172 graduates, produces solid outcomes at $71,778 median earnings and serves as a popular pathway into finance, consulting, and graduate school.
Engineering programs deliver some of the highest individual earnings, with Chemical Engineering graduates earning $73,635 despite the program's smaller scale of 28 graduates. This pattern reflects Tufts' strength in technical fields that lead directly into high-paying careers in technology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. The university's location near Boston provides exceptional access to internships and entry-level positions in these industries.
Even programs with more moderate early earnings often serve strategic purposes in Tufts' academic ecosystem. Biology, with 152 graduates earning $34,348 early in their careers, primarily feeds into medical school and other health professions that drive long-term earning potential. The university's strong pre-professional advising and high medical school acceptance rates help explain why families invest in Tufts even for majors with lower immediate returns, knowing that graduate school outcomes often justify the initial investment.
Tufts University graduates achieve exceptional long-term earnings that rank among the highest in the country. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $83,214, placing the institution in the 97th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. While the university's value-added earnings metric shows graduates earning somewhat less than the statistical model would predict given their incoming academic credentials, the absolute earnings levels remain extraordinarily strong, reflecting the power of Tufts' academic programs and alumni networks in securing high-paying career opportunities.
The strongest financial returns come from the university's technical and quantitative programs. Computer Science stands out as both a high-enrollment major (194 graduates) and the program with the highest aggregate return, with graduates earning a median of $97,959 ten years out. Applied Economics, the university's largest program with 172 graduates, produces solid outcomes at $71,778 median earnings, while Chemical Engineering delivers some of the highest individual earnings at $73,635. Even programs like Biology, which show more moderate early earnings at $34,348, often serve as stepping stones to medical school and other advanced degrees that drive long-term financial success.
Tufts' location in the Boston metropolitan area, where cost of living runs above the national average, means graduates enter a competitive but high-paying job market. The university's strong alumni networks in technology, finance, consulting, and healthcare help graduates access opportunities that justify the higher living costs and continue to pay dividends throughout their careers.
Affordability at Tufts University varies dramatically by family income, reflecting the institution's high sticker price and need-based aid structure. Low-income students pay about $10,526 annually after aid—a relatively manageable amount that places Tufts among the more affordable options for families earning under $30,000. Middle-income families face significantly higher costs at $14,963 per year, while high-income families pay the full freight of approximately $53,400 annually, representing one of the highest net prices among American universities.
The debt picture reflects this income stratification. Federal student loan debt is relatively modest at $16,250 for typical borrowers, but Parent PLUS borrowing averages $39,299—among the highest levels we track. This pattern suggests that many families rely heavily on parent borrowing to bridge the gap between aid and costs, particularly in the middle- and upper-middle-income ranges where need-based aid is limited but the full cost remains substantial.
What makes Tufts' pricing sustainable for many families is the exceptional earning power of graduates. With median earnings exceeding $83,000 ten years out, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard loan repayment, and the investment typically pays for itself through higher lifetime earnings. However, the upfront financial commitment requires careful family planning and often significant parent contribution or borrowing to make the numbers work.
Tufts University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
