Northeastern vs Tufts - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Northeastern: 5.2% against 11.5% (Tufts).
Average aid for an international student is $80,079 (Tufts) and $24,539 (Northeastern).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Tufts lists $93,182 against $92,337 (Northeastern), but after average aid what remains is $33,608 against $45,782.
On both axes at once the winner is Northeastern: lower tuition ($69,289 against $73,616) and a higher median salary ($93K against $83K, Tufts).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 11.49% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #151-200). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $83K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
Choose Tufts for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 11.49% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $83K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Tufts |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | - | #179 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 11.49% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 34,432 |
| International students | 13.1% | 12.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $47K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $132K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 93.5% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 95.5% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $16,250 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $73,616 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $59,574 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $25,584 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 13,599 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Tufts?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Tufts accepts 11.49%.
Do Northeastern or Tufts graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Tufts?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $73,616 per year at Tufts.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Tufts?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1510 at Tufts; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Tufts?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #151-200 for Tufts.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Tufts?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $59,574 at Tufts.
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