Tufts vs Boston University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 12.5% (Tufts).
Real money goes to international students at Tufts ($80,079 on average), while Boston University stops at $56,639.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Boston University starts at $94,427 against $93,182 and ends at $25,031 against $33,608 (Tufts).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Tufts: a midpoint of 1510 against 1470, a difference of 40 points.
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
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.49% vs 12.83% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #101-150). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($83K vs $83K). Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 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 Tufts for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Boston University for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.49% vs 12.83% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $83K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 88.7%).
Boston University has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,372 vs $73,616); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Boston University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | #75 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 12.83% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 35% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.86 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 76,776 |
| International students | 12.5% | 20.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $83K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $57K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $122K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 88.7% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 94.2% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $23,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $71,372 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $69,396 |
| % of need met | 100% | 92% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $36,774 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 36,977 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Boston University?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Boston University accepts 12.83%.
Do Tufts or Boston University graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $83K at Tufts and $83K at Boston University.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Boston University?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $71,372 per year at Boston University.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Boston University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1470 at Boston University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Boston University?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #101-150 for Boston University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Boston University?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $69,396 at Boston University.
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