Tufts vs. Colgate

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

Tufts University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Tufts (11.5% admitted vs 13.9%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1490.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $32,367 at Tufts.
  • Graduation: Tufts 90% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Tufts $83,100 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Tufts University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Tufts more selective
Tufts11.5%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Tufts higher
Tufts1470-1560
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $3,631 less
Tufts$32,367
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Colgate $398 less
Tufts$70,704
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Colgate $398 less
Tufts$70,704
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +2 pts
Tufts90%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tufts +$7,800
Tufts$83,100
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Tufts 34,432
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Tufts 3,957
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Tufts 1520
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Tufts 34
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Tufts 3.91
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Tufts A
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Tufts Elite
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Tufts Very High
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Tufts 33-35
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Tufts Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Tufts $18,588
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Tufts $32,367
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Tufts $55,933
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Tufts 39%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Tufts 90%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Tufts $83,100
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Tufts 91%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Tufts $18,000
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Tufts $186
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Tufts 10:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Tufts 13,599
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Tufts #33
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 5.3% lower than at Tufts University ($17,610 vs. $18,588).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Tufts than at Colgate University (about $398 more per year; $70,704 vs. $70,306).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colgate University than at Tufts University (43% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($58,334 vs. $55,933).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Tufts than at Colgate (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Tufts and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Tufts average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($16,125 vs. $18,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($166 vs. $186).
  • More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 86%).

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

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