Harvard vs. Tufts vs. BU

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

Harvard University
Tufts University
Boston University

At a glance

  • Lowest net price: Harvard ($17,525 a year). Next is BU at $24,420, about $6,895 more.
  • Hardest to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted, typical SAT 1550). BU is close behind (11.1%, SAT 1480); Tufts 11.5%.
  • Highest graduation rate: Harvard (97%). Then Tufts 90%, BU 85%.
  • Highest median earnings: Harvard ($136,700 ten years after starting college). Then Tufts $83,100, BU $72,000.
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Key differences

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Measure Harvard Tufts BU
Acceptance rateHarvard most selective 3.6% 11.5% 11.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)Harvard highest 1510-1580 1470-1560 1420-1530
Average net priceHarvard lowest $17,525 $32,367 $24,420
In-state tuitionHarvard lowest $61,676 $70,704 $68,102
Out-of-state tuitionHarvard lowest $61,676 $70,704 $68,102
Graduation rateHarvard highest 97% 90% 85%
Median earnings (10 years)Harvard highest $136,700 $83,100 $72,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Tufts 34,432
  • BU 78,769
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Tufts 3,957
  • BU 8,749
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • BU 11.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • BU 37.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Tufts 1520
  • BU 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Tufts 34
  • BU 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Tufts 3.91
  • BU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Tufts A
  • BU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Tufts Elite
  • BU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Tufts Very High
  • BU Very High
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • BU 1420-1530
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Tufts 33-35
  • BU 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Tufts Test optional
  • BU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tufts $70,704
  • BU $68,102
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tufts $70,704
  • BU $68,102
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Tufts $18,588
  • BU $19,020
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Tufts $32,367
  • BU $24,420
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Tufts $55,933
  • BU $61,848
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Tufts 39%
  • BU 49%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Tufts 90%
  • BU 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Tufts $83,100
  • BU $72,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Tufts 91%
  • BU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Tufts $18,000
  • BU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Tufts $186
  • BU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Tufts 10:1
  • BU 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • BU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Tufts 13,599
  • BU 37,737
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Tufts #33
  • BU #73

Comparable Facts

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

By total student enrollment, Boston University is the largest of the three (37,737 students), followed by Harvard (30,259) and Tufts (13,599).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Settings: Cambridge, MA (Midsize City); Medford, MA (Large Suburban); Boston, MA (Large City).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard 7:1; Tufts 10:1; BU 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are lowest at Tufts ($18,588) and highest at Harvard ($21,190); BU $19,020.
  • The largest share of students receiving grant aid is at Harvard (56%), then BU (49%) and Tufts (39%).
  • Average grant aid: Harvard $68,015; BU $61,848; Tufts $55,933.

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate): Harvard 35; Tufts 34; BU 33.
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Tufts and BU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen: Harvard 4.0; Tufts 3.91; BU 3.79.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield): Harvard 83.6%; Tufts 45.5%; BU 37.4%.

Loans and repayment

  • Median federal loan debt among borrowers: Harvard $6,500; Tufts $18,000; BU $27,000.
  • Median monthly federal loan payment: Harvard $67; Tufts $186; BU $279.
  • Share of former students actively paying back federal loans three years after graduation: Tufts 91%; BU 82%; Harvard 70%.

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

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