Tufts vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Tufts: 11.5% against 40.5% (Brandeis).
The share of international students differs sharply: 19.3% (Brandeis) against 12.5% (Tufts).
Average aid for an international student is $80,079 (Tufts) and $56,730 (Brandeis).
50 points separate the SAT profiles: 1510 (Tufts) against 1460.
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
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.49% vs 40.47% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #301-400). Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $77K). Brandeis has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,957 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: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Brandeis for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.49% vs 40.47% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1460).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $77K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 86%).
Brandeis has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,957 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 10,462 |
| International students | 12.5% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 87% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 100% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Tufts or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Tufts graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Brandeis?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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