BU vs. Tufts

Boston University and Tufts University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Boston University
Tufts University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 11.5%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $32,367 at Tufts.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Tufts 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Tufts $83,100 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Tufts University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
Tufts11.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Tufts higher
BU1420-1530
Tufts1470-1560
Average net price
BU $7,947 less
BU$24,420
Tufts$32,367
In-state tuition
BU $2,602 less
BU$68,102
Tufts$70,704
Out-of-state tuition
BU $2,602 less
BU$68,102
Tufts$70,704
Graduation rate
Tufts +5 pts
BU85%
Tufts90%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tufts +$11,100
BU$72,000
Tufts$83,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Tufts 34,432
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Tufts 3,957
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Tufts 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Tufts 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Tufts 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Tufts A
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Tufts Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Tufts Very High
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Tufts 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Tufts Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Tufts $18,588
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Tufts $32,367
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Tufts $55,933
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Tufts 39%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Tufts 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Tufts $83,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Tufts 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Tufts $18,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Tufts $186
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Tufts 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Tufts 13,599
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Tufts #33

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 13,599 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 2.3% lower than at Boston University ($18,588 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Tufts than at Boston University (about $2,602 more per year; $70,704 vs. $68,102).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boston University than at Tufts University (49% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($61,848 vs. $55,933).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Tufts than at BU (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Tufts.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Tufts average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($18,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($186 vs. $279).
  • More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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