Tufts vs Penn - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Penn: 5.4% against 11.5% (Tufts).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Penn: $111K against $83K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Penn: 1553 against 1510, a gap of 43 points.
Students admitted to both more often choose Penn (68% enrol, against 45.5%).
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
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 11.49% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $83K). Penn has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,236 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 Penn 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
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 11.49% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1510).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $83K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 93.5%).
Penn has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,236 vs $73,616); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 65,236 |
| International students | 12.5% | 13.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $111K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $70K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $71,236 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Tufts or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $71,236 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Penn?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Penn?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $70,971 at Penn.
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