BC vs. Tufts

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with Tufts University in Medford, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston College is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (15,432 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, MA (Small City setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Boston College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston College 10:1; Tufts University 10:1.

BC vs. Tufts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC or Tufts? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tufts University than BC ($32,367 vs. $32,519).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 1.7% lower than at Boston College ($18,588 vs. $18,916).
• Tufts University is 0% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $2 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $70,702.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at Tufts than at Boston College (about $2 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $70,702.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston College than at Tufts University (40% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($56,971 vs. $55,933).

BC vs. Tufts Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC or Tufts? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tufts and BC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 30 points higher than at BC (1490).
• Incoming BC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Tufts (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 1440/1540; Tufts University 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston College 33/35; Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC - Test optional; Tufts - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC Jan 1, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at BC (3.86).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (16.4%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at BC vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

BC vs. Tufts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC and Tufts? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Boston College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Boston College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Tufts graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,900 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($18,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($186 vs. $196).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 90%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.