Illinois urbana-champaign vs Tufts — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.5% vs 42.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#55 vs #151-200). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($81K vs $83K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 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 Illinois urbana-champaign for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Tufts for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.5% vs 42.4% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1513 vs 1440).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $81K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $70,704); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Illinois urbana-champaign | Tufts |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #55 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | #46 | #179 |
| Acceptance rate | 42.4% | 11.5% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1440 | 1513 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 73,742 | 34,432 |
| International students | 25% | 17% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $83K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $71K | $103K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $132K |
| Graduation rate | 85.1% | 93.5% |
| Retention rate | 94.8% | 95.5% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $16,250 |
| Tuition · year | $35,124 | $70,704 |
| Avg. aid package | $23,217 | $59,574 |
| % of need met | 0.8% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,395 | $25,584 |
| Application fee | $50 | — |
| Enrollment | 59,238 | 13,599 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Illinois urbana-champaign or Tufts?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4% of applicants, while Tufts accepts 11.5%.
Do Illinois urbana-champaign or Tufts graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $81K at Illinois urbana-champaign and $83K at Tufts.
How much is tuition at Illinois urbana-champaign vs Tufts?
Sticker-price tuition is $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign and $70,704 per year at Tufts.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois urbana-champaign or Tufts?
The median admitted SAT score is 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign and 1513 at Tufts; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Illinois urbana-champaign or Tufts?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign vs #151-200 for Tufts.
Which university offers more financial aid — Illinois urbana-champaign or Tufts?
The average aid package is $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign and $59,574 at Tufts.
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