Tufts vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Duke University 5:1.

Tufts vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Duke? 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 Duke University than Tufts ($21,981 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 2.5% lower than at Tufts University ($18,128 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Duke (about $1,946 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Tufts than at Duke University (about $1,946 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $68,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duke University than at Tufts University (43% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($65,522 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Duke Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Tufts (1520).
• Incoming Tufts students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Duke (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Tufts (3.91).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Tufts vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Duke? 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Tufts graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($7,500 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($77 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duke students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.