Tufts vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Northeastern: 5.2% against 11.5% (Tufts).
Average aid for an international student is $80,079 (Tufts) and $24,539 (Northeastern).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Tufts lists $93,182 against $92,337 (Northeastern), but after average aid what remains is $33,608 against $45,782.
On both axes at once the winner is Northeastern: lower tuition ($69,289 against $73,616) and a higher median salary ($93K against $83K, Tufts).
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 11.49% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $83K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 11.49% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $83K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 98,425 |
| International students | 12.5% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 100% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Tufts or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Northeastern?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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