Notre Dame vs. Tufts

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Tufts University in Medford, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tufts University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Tufts University 10:1.

Notre Dame vs. Tufts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame or Tufts? 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 Notre Dame than Tufts ($29,300 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 3.7% lower than at Tufts University ($17,900 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $5,679 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Tufts than at University of Notre Dame (about $5,679 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Tufts University (61% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 3.6% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($55,933 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Tufts Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 10 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Tufts (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Tufts University 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Tufts - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have the same average high school GPA (3.91) as students at Tufts (3.91).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Notre Dame vs. Tufts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame and Tufts? 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 Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Tufts graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 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 Notre Dame graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tufts students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.