Tufts vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Northwestern admits 7.7%, Tufts admits 11.5%.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Northwestern lists $96,182 against $93,182 (Tufts), but after average aid what remains is $28,072 against $33,608.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Northwestern: a midpoint of 1540 against 1510, a difference of 30 points.
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
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
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 11.49% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $83K). Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 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: lower graduate debt.
Choose Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 11.49% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1510).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $83K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 93.5%).
Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $73,616); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 49,474 |
| International students | 12.5% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 98% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Tufts or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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