CAMBRIDGE, MA

MEDFORD, MA

COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Harvard vs Tufts — US university comparison

HARVARD

Cambridge, MA

World rank · ARWU#1

Acceptance3.6%

Median SAT1553

Graduation rate97.6%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$102K

TUFTS

Medford, MA

World rank · ARWU#151-200

Acceptance11.5%

Median SAT1513

Graduation rate93.5%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$83K

🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Harvard University Tufts University

#1 World rank · ARWU #151-200

#3 Rank · THE #179

3.6% Acceptance rate 11.5%

1553 Median SAT 1513

97.6% Graduation rate 93.5%

21,189 Enrollment 13,599

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

3.6% Acceptance rate 11.5%

83.6% Yield rate 45.5%

1553 Median SAT 1513

4.20 Avg. GPA —

54,008 Number of applications 34,432

25% Int'l students 17%

At a glance

Harvard leads in 10 of 11 measured metrics

Acceptance3.6% vs 11.5%

Yield83.6% vs 45.5%

Aid$74,387 vs $59,574

EXPERT TAKE

Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 11.5% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #151-200). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $83K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $70,704 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 Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 11.5% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1513).

Graduate outcomes

Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $83K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 93.5%).

Cost and aid

Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $70,704); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $59,574).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

Each dot is a comparable US university; Harvard and Tufts highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric	Harvard	Tufts
World rank · ARWU	#1	#151-200
Rank · THE	#3	#179
Acceptance rate	3.6%	11.5%
Yield rate	83.6%	45.5%
Median SAT	1553	1513
Avg. GPA	4.20	—
Number of applications	54,008	34,432
International students	25%	17%
Median earnings · 10 yrs	$102K	$83K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs	$139K	$103K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs	$200K	$132K
Graduation rate	97.6%	93.5%
Retention rate	98%	95.5%
Median debt	$14,000	$16,250
Tuition · year	$61,676	$70,704
Avg. aid package	$74,387	$59,574
% of need met	100%	100%
Avg. graduate debt	$22,262	$25,584
Application fee	$85	—
Enrollment	21,189	13,599

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Harvard or Tufts?

It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.6% of applicants, while Tufts accepts 11.5%.

Do Harvard or Tufts graduates earn more?

Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $83K.

How much is tuition at Harvard vs Tufts?

Sticker-price tuition is $61,676 per year at Harvard and $70,704 per year at Tufts.

What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Tufts?

The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1513 at Tufts; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Harvard or Tufts?

Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #151-200 for Tufts.

Which university offers more financial aid — Harvard or Tufts?

The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $59,574 at Tufts.

Compare Harvard with

Stanford

Massachusetts institute of technology

Washington university

Northwestern

North carolina

Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).

All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.