Tufts University (TU)

Black Pinpoint Bendetson Hall | Medford, MA | 02155

01. Overview

What the school is known for:

Tufts University offers more than 90 undergraduate academic programs and over 400 student organizations, making it the "perfect mix of liberal arts and university." T ufts students are encouraged to pursue both their academic and social interests "in a passionate way." One student reflects, "I have had the opportunity to explore a huge amount of academic subjects and really challenge myself." The classroom environment promotes dynamic discussions and intellectual curiosity, fostering "a better learning experience and with incomparable relationships with brilliant (yet down to earth) professors." One student shares, "I've literally been offered a research position by asking questions multiple times." The "knowledgeable and interesting professors" are known for being "highly accessible" and responsive to students' academic needs. "It is far easier to succeed here than to fail," relates one student, "as long as you are committed to getting as strong an education as possible." In general, administrators and instructors are receptive to student feedback. As one student notes, "Change is easily made here," and "if you have a problem with something, you can easily address it." Tufts is committed to providing "a world of opportunities" for its students as they prepare for life after graduation.

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
33,153
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
12%

Deadlines

Early Decision
November 4
Early Decision II
January 6
Regular
January 6

SAT & Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
720 - 770

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
750 - 790

SAT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1480 - 1510

Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
33 - 35

What would you score on the digital SAT today?

Testing Policies

Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Test Optional

Other Admission Factors Academic

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Rigor of Secondary School Record
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Class Rank
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Academic GPA
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Application Essay
Recommendation(s)

Non-Academic

Character / Personal Qualities Icon
Character / Personal Qualities

Selectivity

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition (Private)
$69,146
Required Fees
$1,558
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,000
On-Campus Room and Board
$18,588
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Approximate Expenses per Year
$90,292
Approximate Expenses per Year (In-State)
$21,146
Approximate Expenses per Year (Out-of-State)
$21,146

Students Also View These Schools

05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student : Faculty
10 : 1
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Total Faculty
1,184
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
984

Faculty

Men
601
Women
583
Minority
270
International
42

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
93%
Graduate in 6 years
94%

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

06. Student Body

What students say:

The typical Tufts student ""is engaged in so many activities on campus,"" making them ""stunningly busy and happy to be so."" One student says, ""It's really nice to walk around campus knowing that you're in a place where almost everyone is excited to be there."" This positive atmosphere encourages meaningful discussions, particularly interdisciplinary conversations. ""This is a great place to share knowledge you have because everyone wants to hear it and share their own experiences and thoughts."" And one student humorously adds, ""It's like a competition to be the 'most interesting [person] in the world.'"" Along with lively and passionate discussions, students appreciate individuality. ""The true beauty of the school is in the unique and quirky nature of its student body."" As one student puts it: ""We here embrace weirdness."" Eclectic or not, the student body at Tufts is ""global minded, ambitious,"" and has a ""passion for excellence."" This is a group of ""young adults with not only big dreams for the world, but with [the] dedication and motivation to complete them." groups

Gender

56% female44% male

Out of State

71% are out
of state
29% are
in-state

Students

97% are
full time
3% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
6,815
Foreign Countries Represented
74

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.04%
Asian
15.67%
Black
6.05%
Hispanic
9.89%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
0.07%
White
44.60%
Two or more races
7.31%
Unknown
3.87%
International
12.51%

07. Mental Health

08. Campus Life

What students say:

Student participation and school spirit foster Tufts’ “thriving and alive” campus culture. “Almost everything here is run by clubs and student organizations.” On offer are fraternities and sororities, if you decide to go Greek, as well as community service organizations, student government, and performance groups. Students rave about the wide variety of activities available, from “dancing and singing to teaching and tutoring to international community service.” Tufts Dance Collective, Quadball clubs, and a cappella groups are also campus favorites. Tufts undergrads primarily spend their time on two of Tufts’ four campuses: the suburban Medford/Somerville campus and the urban Fenway campus. The campus shuttle system and public transportation “make everything accessible,” enabling students to explore Boston as though it is their own personal playground. As one student enthusiastically remarks, “There is more to do in this city than anyone can possibly do in four years.” Davis Square is very popular due to its close proximity to campus and its reputation as a great place to shop, dine, and hang out. Students report that “there are usually good parties to go to” and there are “always a lot of events going on around campus that attract students every weekend.”

Undergraduates living on campus
61%
First-Year students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Location Icon
Bendetson Hall 2 The Green Medford, MA 02155
Phone icon
617-627-3170

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Monday-Friday, some Saturday mornings

Calendar icon
8:30am-4:30pm
Phone icon
617-627-3170

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Varies
Times:
See schedule on admissions website
Average Length:
1 hour

Visits

CLASS VISITS

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
2 weeks
 

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
No
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
See Schedule on Admissions Website

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

Logan International Airport in Boston is a 15-minute drive from campus. You can take a subway, bus, or taxi to campus from the airport. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses serve Boston; public transportation and taxis can take you to Tufts from the bus and train stations.


LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

A Cambridge House (2218 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 617-491-6300 or 800-232-9989) is an elegant turn-of-the-century colonial. Most, though not all, of the rooms share baths. Rates are moderate to very expensive and higher during the summer than during the rest of the year. The price includes a full breakfast and refreshments in the afternoon. Cambridge House also has a referral service to bed-and-breakfasts in the area. Susse Chalet (211 Concord Tpke., Cambridge; 617-661-7800) is inexpensive and a scant 2 miles from campus. Days Inn (19 Commerce Way, Woburn; 617-935-0039) is also close to campus, and has an indoor swimming pool and a restaurant. See the Harvard-Radcliffe entry for suggestions around Harvard Square about 2 miles south and the MIT entry for some posh hotel suggestions in southern Cambridge, about 4 miles south.


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division III

Men's Sports (Jumbos)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Diving
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Football
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor

Women's Sports (Jumbos)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Diving
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Fencing
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Softball
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
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Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Campus Housing Options

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Apartment Single
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Cooperative
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Disabled Student
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Dorms Coed
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Dorms Female
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Frat Sorority
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International Student
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Theme Housing
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Wellness Housing

Special Needs Admissions

College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
401
Number of Honor Societies
5
Number of Social Sororities
2
Number of Religious Organizations
17
Join a fraternity
8%
Join a sorority
8%

12. Student Services

Health
Womens Center

Military

Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sustainability

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes

Green rating

87/99

Food budget spent on local/organic food

20%

Available Transportation Alternatives

Bike Share
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Car Sharing Program
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Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
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School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
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CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education:

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
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Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Partnerships with Technology Companies
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Personal computer included in tuition for each student
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Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
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Description Call school, new agreements are negotiated each year.

13. Financial Aid

Dates

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Application DeadlinesFeb 15
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Notification DateApr 1

Required Forms

CSS PROFILE
FAFSA

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$55,617
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$56,241
Average Need-Based Loan
$2,677
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
27%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$27,162
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$55,283
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Scholarships and Grants Available

01 - College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Federal Pell
03 - Federal SEOG
04 - Private Scholarships
05 - State Scholarships/Grants

Loans Available

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
03 - Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
04 - College/university loans from institutional funds
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

What students say:

“The school’s strong reputation has helped me get summer jobs and internships,” one student reports. This is a common sentiment among Tufts students, with 87 percent completing at least one internship while at the school. The university’s reputation and proximity to Boston provide students with many opportunities to get a head start on their post-college careers. And plenty of funding is available for students who want to do so with an unpaid summer internship, research, or project abroad. Additionally, the “great alumni network” also helps students find “jobs or internships after college.” The school frequently holds events like the Career Carnival and Tufts Career Fair, along with consulting sessions, Career Treks, peer advising, and its signature #Adulting professional development courses for seniors who will soon navigate the world on their own. Fully 95 percent of the Class of 2021 had found full-time employment or were in graduate school within six months of graduation. According to PayScale.com, 52 percent of Tufts alums report that they derive a high level of meaning from their careers, and graduates earn a median starting salary of $77,700.

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
93%
Graduate in 6 years
94%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Classes
04 - Interest Inventory
05 - Internships
06 - Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

01 - Coop
02 - Internship

ROI & Outcomes Information from PayScale

Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$83,700
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$147,200
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$86,900
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$163,600
Percent High Job Meaning
45%
Percent STEM
28%

15. Majors

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01 ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.

  • Architecture.
  • City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning.
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02 AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.

  • African-American/Black Studies.
  • American/United States Studies/Civilization.
  • Gay/Lesbian Studies.
  • German Studies.
  • Latin American Studies.
  • Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
  • Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies.
  • Women's Studies.
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03 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biochemistry.
  • Biology, General.
  • Biotechnology.
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06 EDUCATION.

  • Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
  • Education, General.
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07 ENGINEERING.

  • Architectural Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering.
  • Computer Engineering.
  • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
  • Engineering Physics.
  • Engineering Science.
  • Engineering, General.
  • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
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08 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • English Language and Literature, General.
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10 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.

  • Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature.
  • Chinese Language and Literature.
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
  • Comparative Literature.
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
  • French Language and Literature.
  • German Language and Literature.
  • Hebrew Language and Literature.
  • Italian Language and Literature.
  • Japanese Language and Literature.
  • Latin Language and Literature.
  • Linguistics.
  • Russian Language and Literature.
  • Spanish Language and Literature.
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11 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling.
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12 HISTORY.

  • History.
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13 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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14 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Applied Mathematics.
  • Mathematics, General.
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15 MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • Cognitive Science.
  • Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
  • Science, Technology and Society.
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17 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.

  • Jewish/Judaic Studies.
  • Philosophy.
  • Religion/Religious Studies.
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18 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Astronomy.
  • Astrophysics.
  • Chemistry.
  • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
  • Physics.
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19 PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Clinical Psychology.
  • Psychology, General.
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20 SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Anthropology.
  • Archeology.
  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
  • Economics.
  • International Relations and Affairs.
  • Political Science and Government.
  • Sociology.
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21 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
  • Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
  • Fine and Studio Arts.
  • Intermedia/Multimedia.
  • Music History, Literature, and Theory.
  • Music, General.
  • Theatre Literature, History and Criticism.

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