Tufts vs Illinois urbana-champaign — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.5% vs 42.4% acceptance). Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #55). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($83K vs $81K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Illinois urbana-champaign for: a higher world ranking, 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 42.4% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1513 vs 1440).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $81K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $70,704); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Illinois urbana-champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.5% | 42.4% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1513 | 1440 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 73,742 |
| International students | 17% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $81K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $103K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,704 | $35,124 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 100% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | — | $50 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Illinois urbana-champaign?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.5% of applicants, while Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4%.
Do Tufts or Illinois urbana-champaign graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $83K at Tufts and $81K at Illinois urbana-champaign.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Illinois urbana-champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,704 per year at Tufts and $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1513 at Tufts and 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Tufts or Illinois urbana-champaign?
Illinois urbana-champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid — Tufts or Illinois urbana-champaign?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign.
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