Tufts University (TU)

Black Pinpoint Bendetson Hall | Medford, MA | 02155

01. Overview

What the school is known for:

The campus culture at Tufts University in Massachusetts is "thriving and alive," and as such it really encourages students to merge their academic and social interests and "pursue both in a passionate way." This is a place where, through active discussion and a student body with a zest for life, "passion meets reality." The academic experience here is marked by "small classes with knowledgeable and interesting professors." "I have had the opportunity to explore a huge amount of academic subjects and really challenge myself," says a student. If students actively seek out their "highly accessible and prompt" professors, they will be rewarded with "a better learning experience and with incomparable relationships with brilliant (yet down to earth) professors." "Whenever I ask them a question that they might not know the answer to, they do research on it immediately and return quickly with a detailed response." The academic curriculum is a "perfect mix of liberal arts and university," and the professors are actively concerned with making sure that students leave with a true understanding of the course material, "not just a book list under their arms." These "global minded, ambitious" students rise to the challenge and beyond, as "most every student focuses on life beyond their education" and seeks out a well-rounded life. "It is far easier to succeed here than to fail, as long as you are committed to getting as strong an education as possible," advises a student. "I've literally been offered a research position by asking questions multiple times," says another. The international relations program at this globally-aware school is particularly strong (as are study abroad options), but activism spills over into the entirety of the student body. "Change is easily made here," and "if you have a problem with something, you can easily address it." A lot of effort is put into ensuring that every student transitions well into college and succeeds. A strong alumni network and excellent internship opportunities also "open up a world of opportunities after graduation."

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
33,628
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
10%

Deadlines

Early Decision
November 1
Early Decision II
January 1
Regular
January 1

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
710 - 760

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
740 - 790

SAT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1460 - 1500

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
33 - 35

What would you score on the digital SAT today?

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Testing Policies

Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Test Optional

Other Admission Factors Academic

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Rigor of Secondary School Record
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Class Rank
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Academic GPA
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Application Essay
Recommendation(s)

Non-Academic

Character / Personal Qualities Icon
Character / Personal Qualities

Selectivity

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$59,560
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,000
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
6630
On-Campus Room and Board
15630
Approximate Expenses per year
$82,820

Students Also View These Schools

05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
10 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
1,196
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
1,006

Gender

Men
605
Women
591
Minority
277
International
21

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
93%
Graduate in 6 years
94%

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

06. Student Body

What students say:

This is a group of go-getters, so here "everyone has the same passion for excellence" and "is engaged in so many activities on campus." Tufts is "a quirky (yet normal) compilation of a bunch of young adults with not only big dreams for the world, but with dedication and motivation to complete them." "It's like a competition to be the "most interesting [person] in the world," says a senior. Even better, "being nerdy is cool!" "We here embrace weirdness. If talking to new people in daily life is awkward, we know it and we revel in it," says a sophomore. There is "no discrimination whatsoever," though "it can actually get frustrating how politically correct everyone is." From "dancing and singing to teaching and tutoring to international community service," students here are "stunningly busy and happy to be so."

Gender

56% female44% male

Out of State

71% are out
of state
29% are
in-state

Students

97% are
full time
3% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
6,815
Foreign Countries Represented
74

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.04%
Asian
15.67%
Black
6.05%
Hispanic
9.89%
Caucasian
44.60%
Unknown
3.87%
International
12.51%

07. Mental Health

08. Campus Life

What students say:

Though the campus itself is gorgeous, "the true beauty of the school is in the unique and quirky nature of its student body." Generally, there are "always a lot of events going on around campus that attract students every weekend" and the variety of clubs and activities available is "amazing." "Almost everything here is run by clubs and student organizations," and the Tufts Dance Collective and Quadball clubs are some of the most popular and fun options, as is a cappella. Public transportation "makes everything accessible," and on the weekends, students often go into Boston or Davis Square and spend the day shopping and "eating non-dining hall food," and at night "there are usually good parties to go to." "There is more to do in this city than anyone can possibly do in four years," says a student.

People here are "always thinking about politics" and all have a lot of spirit for Tufts, and "it's really nice to walk around campus knowing that you're in a place where almost everyone is excited to be there." "This is a great place to share knowledge you have, because everyone wants to hear it and share their own experiences and thoughts," says a student.

Students
61%
First-Year Students
100%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Location Icon
Bendetson Hall 2 The Green Medford, MA 02155
Phone icon
617-627-3170

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Monday-Friday, some Saturday mornings

Calendar icon
8:30am-4:30pm
Phone icon
617-627-3170

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Varies
Times:
See schedule on admissions website
Average Length:
1 hour

Visits

CLASS VISITS

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
2 weeks
 

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
No
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
See Schedule on Admissions Website

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

Logan International Airport in Boston is a 15-minute drive from campus. You can take a subway, bus, or taxi to campus from the airport. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses serve Boston; public transportation and taxis can take you to Tufts from the bus and train stations.


LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

A Cambridge House (2218 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 617-491-6300 or 800-232-9989) is an elegant turn-of-the-century colonial. Most, though not all, of the rooms share baths. Rates are moderate to very expensive and higher during the summer than during the rest of the year. The price includes a full breakfast and refreshments in the afternoon. Cambridge House also has a referral service to bed-and-breakfasts in the area. Susse Chalet (211 Concord Tpke., Cambridge; 617-661-7800) is inexpensive and a scant 2 miles from campus. Days Inn (19 Commerce Way, Woburn; 617-935-0039) is also close to campus, and has an indoor swimming pool and a restaurant. See the Harvard-Radcliffe entry for suggestions around Harvard Square about 2 miles south and the MIT entry for some posh hotel suggestions in southern Cambridge, about 4 miles south.


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division III

Men's Sports (Jumbos)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Diving
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Football
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor

Women's Sports (Jumbos)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Diving
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Fencing
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Softball
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
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Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

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Apartment Single
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Cooperative
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Disabled Student
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Dorms Coed
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Dorms Female
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Frat Sorority
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International Student
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Theme Housing
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Wellness Housing

Special Needs Admissions

College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
401
Number of Honor Societies
5
Number of Social Sororities
2
Number of Religious Organizations
17
Join a fraternity
8%
Join a sorority
8%

12. Student Services

Military

Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sustainability

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes

Green rating

88%

Food budget spent on local/organic food

20%

Available Transportation Alternatives

Bike Share
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Car Sharing Program
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Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
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School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
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CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
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Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Partnerships with Technology Companies
X Mark icon
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
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Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
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Description Call school, new agreements are negotiated each year.

13. Financial Aid

Dates

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Application DeadlinesFeb 15
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Notification DateApr 1

Required Forms

FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$55,283
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$54,264
Average Need-Based Loan
$2,699
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
25%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$24,468
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$55,283
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Pell
03 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
04 - Need-Based SEOG
05 - Need-Based State Scholarships

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - College/university loans from institutional funds
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
89%
Graduate in 5 years
93%
Graduate in 6 years
94%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Classes
04 - Interest Inventory
05 - Internships
06 - Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

01 - Coop
02 - Internship

15. Majors

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01 ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.

  • Architecture.
  • City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning.
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02 AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.

  • African-American/Black Studies.
  • American/United States Studies/Civilization.
  • Gay/Lesbian Studies.
  • German Studies.
  • Latin American Studies.
  • Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
  • Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies.
  • Women's Studies.
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03 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biochemistry.
  • Biology, General.
  • Biotechnology.
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06 EDUCATION.

  • Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
  • Education, General.
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07 ENGINEERING.

  • Architectural Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering.
  • Computer Engineering.
  • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
  • Engineering Physics.
  • Engineering Science.
  • Engineering, General.
  • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
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08 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • English Language and Literature, General.
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10 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.

  • Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature.
  • Chinese Language and Literature.
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
  • Comparative Literature.
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
  • French Language and Literature.
  • German Language and Literature.
  • Hebrew Language and Literature.
  • Italian Language and Literature.
  • Japanese Language and Literature.
  • Latin Language and Literature.
  • Linguistics.
  • Russian Language and Literature.
  • Spanish Language and Literature.
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11 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling.
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12 HISTORY.

  • History.
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13 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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14 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Applied Mathematics.
  • Mathematics, General.
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15 MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • Cognitive Science.
  • Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
  • Science, Technology and Society.
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17 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.

  • Jewish/Judaic Studies.
  • Philosophy.
  • Religion/Religious Studies.
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18 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Astronomy.
  • Astrophysics.
  • Chemistry.
  • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
  • Physics.
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19 PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Clinical Psychology.
  • Psychology, General.
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20 SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Anthropology.
  • Archeology.
  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
  • Economics.
  • International Relations and Affairs.
  • Political Science and Government.
  • Sociology.
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21 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
  • Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
  • Fine and Studio Arts.
  • Intermedia/Multimedia.
  • Music History, Literature, and Theory.
  • Music, General.
  • Theatre Literature, History and Criticism.

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