Tufts vs Houston — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.5% vs 73.9% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #201-300). Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 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 Tufts for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.5% vs 73.9% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1513 vs 1250).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $62K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 vs $70,704); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 11.5% | 73.9% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1513 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.50 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 31,716 |
| International students | 17% | 16% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $62K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $103K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 87% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $70,704 | $22,547 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | — | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Houston?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.5% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.9%.
Do Tufts or Houston graduates earn more?
Tufts graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,704 per year at Tufts and $22,547 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1513 at Tufts and 1250 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Tufts or Houston?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid — Tufts or Houston?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $16,450 at Houston.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern