Tufts vs Temple - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Temple accepts most of the applications it receives (80.5%), while Tufts turns away the overwhelming majority (11.5%).
The more international environment is at Tufts (12.5% international students) than Temple (4.4%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Tufts awards international students $80,079 on average, Temple awards $16,607.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Tufts lists $93,182 against $58,550 (Temple), but after average aid what remains is $33,608 against $40,717.
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
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.49% vs 80.45% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #401-500). Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 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 Temple 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 80.45% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1250).
Tufts graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $64K); Tufts has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.5% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 80.45% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.42 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 40,817 |
| International students | 12.5% | 4.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $64K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $41K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 83% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $40,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $17,833 |
| % of need met | 100% | 60.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $41,808 |
| Application fee | - | $55 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 29,637 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Temple?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.45%.
Do Tufts or Temple graduates earn more?
Tufts graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Temple?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $40,144 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1250 at Temple; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Temple?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #401-500 for Temple.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Temple?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $17,833 at Temple.
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