Tufts vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Tufts ($80,079 on average), while Washington University stops at $68,438.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Washington University lists $94,289 against $93,182 (Tufts), but after average aid what remains is $18,685 against $33,608.
30 points separate the SAT profiles: 1540 (Washington University) against 1510.
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
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 12.1% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #23). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $83K). Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 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: higher selectivity, higher retention, lower graduate debt.
Choose Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tufts is more selective (11.49% vs 12.1% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1510).
Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $83K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 93.5%).
Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 vs $73,616); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.49% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 32,754 |
| International students | 12.5% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $47K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 95% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $73,616 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Tufts. Tufts accepts 11.49% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Tufts or Washington University graduates earn more?
Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,616 per year at Tufts and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Tufts and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Tufts or Washington University?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Tufts or Washington University?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $75,604 at Washington University.
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