Tufts vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Tufts vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Tufts ($22,520 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 5.4% lower than at Tufts University ($17,580 vs. $18,588).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tufts (about $1,141 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Columbia than at Tufts University (about $1,141 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $70,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Tufts University (52% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 19.8% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($67,010 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts or Columbia? 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 Columbia and Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 30 points higher than at Tufts (1520).
• Incoming Tufts students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Columbia (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have the same average high school GPA (3.91) as students at Columbia (3.91).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Tufts vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than Tufts graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.