Tufts vs Rhode Island - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Tufts admits 11.5% of applications, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Tufts (12.5% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
Real money goes to international students at Tufts ($80,079 on average), while Rhode Island stops at $26,565.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Tufts starts at $93,182 against $54,758 and ends at $33,608 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
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
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.49% vs 72.2% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #801-900). Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 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, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.49% vs 72.2% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1160).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $70K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 28,021 |
| International students | 12.5% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 85% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 100% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | - | $65 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do Tufts or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Tufts graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Rhode Island?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
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