Tufts vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Kansas accepts most of the applications it receives (93.5%), while Tufts turns away the overwhelming majority (11.5%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Tufts: 12.5% of students against 3.1% (Kansas).
Real money goes to international students at Tufts ($80,079 on average), while Kansas stops at $11,164.
On paper the cheaper option is Kansas: $30,432 against $73,616, which is $43,184 less a year.
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 93.48% 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 $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas 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 93.48% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1190).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $62K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 22,363 |
| International students | 12.5% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 86% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | - | $40 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Tufts or Kansas graduates earn more?
Tufts graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Kansas?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Kansas?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $19,700 at Kansas.
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