Tufts vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Tufts vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or RIT ? 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 Tufts University than RIT ($32,367 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 13.2% lower than at Tufts University ($16,142 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $11,430 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Tufts than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $11,430 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Tufts University (98% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 59.5% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($55,933 vs. $35,077).

Tufts vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 140 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Tufts students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); RIT - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Tufts vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and RIT ? 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).

• Tufts University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($18,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($186 vs. $289).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.