Tufts vs. Carleton College

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

Tufts University
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Tufts (11.5% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $32,367 at Tufts.
  • Graduation: Tufts 90% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Tufts $83,100 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Tufts University Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Tufts more selective
Tufts11.5%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Tufts higher
Tufts1470-1560
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Carleton College $4,320 less
Tufts$32,367
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Carleton College $1,812 less
Tufts$70,704
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $1,812 less
Tufts$70,704
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +3 pts
Tufts90%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tufts +$17,500
Tufts$83,100
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Tufts 34,432
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Tufts 3,957
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Tufts 1520
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Tufts 34
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Tufts 3.91
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Tufts A
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Tufts Elite
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Tufts Very High
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Tufts 33-35
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Tufts Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Tufts $18,588
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Tufts $32,367
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Tufts $55,933
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Tufts 39%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Tufts 90%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Tufts $83,100
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Tufts 91%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Tufts $18,000
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Tufts $186
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Tufts 10:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Tufts 13,599
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Tufts #33
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 5.4% lower than at Tufts University ($17,586 vs. $18,588).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Tufts than at Carleton College (about $1,812 more per year; $70,704 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Tufts University (59% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($56,846 vs. $55,933).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Tufts than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Tufts and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Tufts average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($18,000 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($186 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tufts students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 91%).

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

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