Tufts vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Princeton admits 4.4% of applicants, while Tufts admits 11.5%.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $93,182 and ends at $16,304 against $33,608 (Tufts).
On both axes at once the winner is Princeton: lower tuition ($68,454 against $73,616) and a higher median salary ($110K against $83K, Tufts).
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Princeton: 75.4% of them enrol, against 45.5%.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 11.49% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $83K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 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 Princeton 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
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 11.49% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1510).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $83K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 93.5%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $73,616); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 42,303 |
| International students | 12.5% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 99% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Tufts or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Princeton?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $79,320 at Princeton.
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