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#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Tufts Admission Requirements

Medford, Massachusetts

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Tufts University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

9.7%
Admission Difficulty for Tufts University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Tufts is 9.7%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in Massachusetts and the 31st lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Tufts and can you get accepted?

Tufts is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 3,381 out of the 34,882 who applied were admitted.

Tufts University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.91. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 50% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Tufts?

10% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Tufts University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.91 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1500 on the SAT
  • Score 34 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Tufts GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.91*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Tufts University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Tufts are to have around a 3.91 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Tufts extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.91 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.91 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Tufts is 3.91 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #8 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Tufts is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.91 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Tufts SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Tufts University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 37% of students submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1450-1550

Applicants Submitting SAT 

37%
SAT Scores for Tufts University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 710
Math 25th Percentile 740
Composite 25th Percentile 1450
SAT Scores for Tufts University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 760
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1550
Average SAT Score 1500

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Tufts University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Tufts is 1500 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1450-1550. Students who get into Tufts University score in the top 2 percent of all SAT test takers..  Tufts ranks #5 in the state of Massachusetts and #29 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1500 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Tufts regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1450 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1450, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1400, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Tufts University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1500 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1500, you have around a 10% chance of being admitted. A 1550 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 17% chance of getting in.

Tufts University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1550 and Above Good >17%
1500 to 1550 Avg + 10%-17%
1450 to 1500 Avg - 6%-10%
1400 to 1450 Reach 3%-6%
Less than 1400 Low <3%
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Tufts ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

33-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

19%
ACT Scores for Tufts University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 33
ACT Scores for Tufts University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 34

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Tufts?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Tufts is 34, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 33 and 35.  The school ranks #6 in Massachusetts and #17 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 34. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 33 and score in the score in the top 2 percent nationally.

19 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Tufts University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Tufts University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Tufts for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 34 score has around 10% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 17% with a 35 ACT score.

Tufts University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >17%
34 to 35 Avg + 10%-17%
33 to 34 Avg - 6%-10%
32 to 33 Reach 3%-6%
Less than 32 Low <3%
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High School Class Rank

82% of Tufts University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Tufts University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 82%
Top 25% of class 97%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Tufts University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 19,732 13,900 34,882
Accepted 1,873 1,374 3,381
Acceptance Rate 9% 10% 10%
Enrolled 929 696 1,695
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 50% 51% 50%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

80

Applicants have 80 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Tufts University is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Tufts University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Tufts University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Tufts University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Tufts is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.91 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1500 on the SAT and optimally 1550 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 34 to have the best chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Tufts University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=168148 IPEDS survey data for Tufts University.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Tufts University prefer SAT or ACT?

37% of students submit their SAT scores to Tufts. 19% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Tufts University?

10% of those who apply are granted admission to Tufts. Admission competition is very high and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Tufts University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1450 and 1550. The average SAT score is 1500. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Tufts University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. The average ACT score is 34. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.