Cornell vs Tufts - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Cornell admits 8.4% of applicants, while Tufts admits 11.5%.
Ten years on, graduates of Cornell earn noticeably more: $104K against $83K.
30 points separate the SAT profiles: 1540 (Cornell) against 1510.
Students admitted to both more often choose Cornell (63.9% enrol, against 45.5%).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Cornell is the more selective of the two (8.41% vs 11.49% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #151-200). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $83K). Cornell has lower sticker-price tuition ($72,270 vs $73,616 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Tufts for: lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Cornell is more selective (8.41% vs 11.49% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1510).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $83K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 93.5%).
Cornell has lower sticker-price tuition ($72,270 vs $73,616); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Tufts |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | #179 |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 11.49% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 34,432 |
| International students | 10.3% | 12.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $47K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $132K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 93.5% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 95.5% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $16,250 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $73,616 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $59,574 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $25,584 |
| Application fee | $80 | - |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 13,599 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Tufts?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Tufts accepts 11.49%.
Do Cornell or Tufts graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Tufts?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $73,616 per year at Tufts.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Tufts?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1510 at Tufts; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Tufts?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #151-200 for Tufts.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Tufts?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $59,574 at Tufts.
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