Tufts University
Tufts University is a midsize private research university straddling the Medford and Somerville line just outside Boston, long recognized for international relations, the life sciences, and a strong engineering program wrapped around a liberal-arts core. Admission is highly selective: about 10.8% of roughly 33,400 applicants were offered a place in the most recent cycle, and enrolled first-years posted a middle-50% SAT of 1460–1520 and ACT of 33–35. Tufts is test-optional and no longer publishes an average GPA, but among the 21% of students who submitted a class rank, 87% stood in the top tenth of their high school class. The social sciences are the single most popular field of study, and Tufts meets 100% of demonstrated financial need — recently guaranteeing free tuition for families earning under $150,000 through its Tufts Tuition Pact.
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Tufts admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Tufts offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~3.8× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
Tufts is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Tufts's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 21% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Tufts does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Tufts weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Tufts's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency. Books and personal expenses aren't itemized in this Common Data Set.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Tufts admissions
Is it hard to get into Tufts?＋
Yes — Tufts is highly selective, admitting about 10.8% of applicants in the most recent cycle from a pool of roughly 33,400. Around 1,760 first-years enrolled, and admitted students cluster at the top of their classes: among the 21% who reported a class rank, 87% stood in the top tenth. Admission is holistic, with the rigor of your course load, GPA, essay, and personal qualities all weighed as very important.
What is Tufts' acceptance rate, and is early decision easier?＋
Tufts admitted about 10.8% of all applicants in the most recent cycle. Applying early decision improves the odds noticeably — Tufts admitted 1,071 of 3,344 ED applicants, an early-round rate near 32% versus the single-digit regular rate. Tufts offers both binding ED I and ED II rounds, so a second binding deadline is available if Tufts is your clear first choice.
What GPA do you need to get into Tufts?＋
Tufts is test-optional and no longer publishes an average high school GPA. It reports class rank instead: among the 21% of enrolled first-years who submitted one, 87% ranked in the top tenth of their class and 96% in the top quarter. Both the rigor of your high school record and your academic GPA are weighed as very important factors, so a strong, demanding transcript matters most.
Is a 1490 SAT good enough for Tufts?＋
A 1490 is competitive — it sits inside the middle 50% of enrolled first-years, who scored between 1460 and 1520 on the SAT (33–35 on the ACT). Tufts is test-optional, and standardized test scores are only a 'considered' factor, so a 1490 strengthens an application without being a make-or-break number.
Is Tufts test-optional?＋
Yes — Tufts is test-optional, so you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Standardized test scores are rated only a 'considered' factor in admissions, well below the very important factors of course rigor, GPA, the application essay, recommendations, and personal qualities. Students who do submit land in a 1460–1520 SAT or 33–35 ACT middle 50%.
How much does Tufts cost, and does it meet full financial need?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $73,616 for 2025-2026, the same flat rate for every student since Tufts is private; on-campus housing and food add roughly $19,566. Tufts meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, with an average need-based aid package near $66,244, and 37% of students receive aid. Its Tufts Tuition Pact covers full tuition for families with total income under $150,000.
What are the most popular majors at Tufts?＋
The social sciences are the single most popular area at about 20% of bachelor's degrees, spanning international relations, political science, and economics. Arts and humanities follow at 18%, and interdisciplinary studies, life sciences (biology), computer science, and engineering each account for roughly 10–11% — reflecting Tufts' blend of a liberal-arts core with strong technical programs.
Does the application essay matter at Tufts?＋
Yes — Tufts rates the application essay as a very important factor, on par with course rigor, GPA, recommendations, and personal qualities, and well above standardized test scores, which are only 'considered.' With an admit rate near 10.8%, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways a strong applicant can stand out.
Source: Tufts University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Tufts. Banner photo by Swampyank, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).