Tufts vs North Carolina - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Tufts admits 11.5% of applicants, while North Carolina admits 15.3%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 12.5% (Tufts) against 6.4% (North Carolina).
North Carolina reports no financial aid for international students, while Tufts awards them $80,079 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Tufts lists $93,182 against $60,888 (North Carolina), but after average aid what remains is $33,608 against $40,183.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 15.34% acceptance). North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #35). Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $72K). North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 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, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.49% vs 15.34% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $72K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 91.2%).
North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #35 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | #70 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 15.34% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.49 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 66,535 |
| International students | 12.5% | 6.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $72K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $48K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $112K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $45,228 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $20,705 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $20,382 |
| Application fee | - | $85 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 32,680 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or North Carolina?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while North Carolina accepts 15.34%.
Do Tufts or North Carolina graduates earn more?
Tufts graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs North Carolina?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $45,228 per year at North Carolina.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or North Carolina?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1470 at North Carolina; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or North Carolina?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #35 for North Carolina.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or North Carolina?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $20,705 at North Carolina.
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