Tufts vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Tufts vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Tufts ($23,570 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 3.1% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,588 vs. $19,174).
• Tufts University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $2,018 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Tufts than at University of Pennsylvania (about $2,018 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Tufts University (51% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 17% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($65,458 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 20 points higher than at Tufts (1520).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Tufts).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Tufts (3.91).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 68% at Penn.

Tufts vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $40,500 more per year than Tufts graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $2,633 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($18,000 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($186 vs. $213).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.