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Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private · 7,061 students

Acceptance rate

11.5%

SAT (mid 50%)

1470–1560

Avg net price

$39,998

after aid

Testing

optional

2027 cycle

Sources: the U.S. Department of Education (2024), and Tufts University’s admissions site.

Your chances

How hard is it to get in?

Getting in is the hard part. Tufts University admitted 11.5% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 14701560 on the SAT and 3335 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Tufts University actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

Applying

Requirements and deadlines

  • Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from https://www.tufts.edu.

The essays

Supplemental essay prompts

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

  • Please describe how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts during your college search process

    Up to 150 words

  • Tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years. What was the assignment and why did you enjoy it?

    Up to 200 words

  • Tell us about an engineering or science-related project that you have helped build, design, create, or iterate in the past two years. What was the project and what was your role?

    Up to 200 words

  • Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. What were the ideas you intended to explore, and how did those ideas inform the process of making the piece?

    Up to 200 words

  • Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. How did an academic course, project, or interest inspire the ideas that you explored in this piece? Or, how did making this piece influence your academic interests?

    Up to 200 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from https://www.tufts.edu.

Cost and aid

What you will actually pay

The sticker price is about $88,300, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $39,998.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $83,214.

Verified from https://www.tufts.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

Quick answers

Tufts University FAQ

Is Tufts University test-optional?
For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Tufts University is optional.
How hard is it to get into Tufts University?
Very hard. Tufts University admits 11.5% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1470 to 1560 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.
How much does Tufts University cost?
The list price is about $88,300, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $39,998.
Is Tufts University worth it?
Graduates earn a median of $83,214 ten years after enrolling, and 93% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.

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Ask Spike anything about Tufts University.

Spike answers from Tufts University’s own site, then helps you figure out your move. Join the waitlist to get in early.