Notre Dame vs Tufts - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The more international environment is at Tufts (12.5% international students) than Notre Dame (7.5%).
Average aid for an international student is $80,079 (Tufts) and $62,803 (Notre Dame).
You do not have to choose between price and outcome here: Notre Dame costs $67,607 against $73,616, and its graduates earn $100K against $83K (Tufts).
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1510 and 1510.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Notre Dame is the more selective of the two (11.3% vs 11.49% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #151-200). Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $83K). Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 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 Notre Dame for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Tufts for: a higher world ranking, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Notre Dame is more selective (11.3% vs 11.49% acceptance).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $83K); Notre Dame has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95% vs 93.5%).
Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $73,616); Notre Dame offers a larger average aid package ($67,855 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre Dame | Tufts |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | - | #179 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 11.49% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 34,432 |
| International students | 7.5% | 12.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $47K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $132K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 93.5% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 95.5% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $16,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,607 | $73,616 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $59,574 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $25,584 |
| Application fee | $85 | - |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 13,599 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Tufts?
It's harder to get into Notre Dame. Notre Dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Tufts accepts 11.49%.
Do Notre Dame or Tufts graduates earn more?
Notre Dame graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $100K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Notre Dame vs Tufts?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,607 per year at Notre Dame and $73,616 per year at Tufts.
What SAT score do you need for Notre Dame or Tufts?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Notre Dame and 1510 at Tufts; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Notre Dame or Tufts?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Notre Dame vs #151-200 for Tufts.
Which university offers more financial aid - Notre Dame or Tufts?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre Dame and $59,574 at Tufts.
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