Tufts vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Tufts admits 11.5% of applicants, while Virginia admits 16.8%.
The more international environment is at Tufts (12.5% international students) than Virginia (4.9%).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Tufts awards them $80,079 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Tufts lists $93,182 against $80,859 (Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $33,608 against $43,736.
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
Tufts is the more selective of the two (11.49% vs 16.81% acceptance). Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $83K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 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, a larger aid package.
Choose Virginia for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.49% vs 16.81% acceptance); Tufts has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $83K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 93.5%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $73,616); Tufts offers a larger average aid package ($59,574 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 58,951 |
| International students | 12.5% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Tufts or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Virginia?
Tufts ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Virginia?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $37,123 at Virginia.
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