Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts · Private Nonprofit · 11.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 86/100 · Strong Value
Tufts University scores 86 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, a highly selective research university in Medford, Massachusetts. The 93.5% completion rate and 94.7% repayment rate at year 3 are among the strongest in this batch of schools. Median 6-year earnings of $56,600 and a 6.2-year payback period reflect a broad program mix that includes many pre-professional and pre-graduate school students with depressed near-term earnings. Sticker tuition of $70,704 contrasts sharply with net prices of $9,811-$14,923 for low and middle-income students — Tufts' financial aid program effectively prices the institution below many public universities for families under $110,000. Median debt of $16,250 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.287 are low. Computer Science leads: 211 graduates at $105,659 year-one and $156,343 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.147 (A grade). Mathematics earns $110,512 year-one (A grade). Economics has the largest cohort at 217 graduates, $75,125 year-one and $123,809 year-four (A grade). Cognitive Science posts $75,672 year-one and $130,801 year-four. Fine and Studio Arts earns an F grade with $17,154 year-one and debt-to-earnings of 1.472, reflecting the pattern of arts students underemployed near graduation or in early-career positions.
The median graduate earns $83,214 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Tufts University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $70,704/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $70,704/yr |
| Average net price | $39,998/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $159,992 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $83,214 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $56,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $172 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 93.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,061 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Tufts University is $70,704/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $39,998/year, or roughly $159,992 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,284/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $58,570/year.
The median graduate leaves with $16,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $172 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $83,214 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,284 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,811 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,923 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,311 |
| $110,001+ | $58,570 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 bracket pay $11,284 per year — $45,136 over four years. This is lower than the net price at many flagship public universities. At $56,600 median 6-year earnings and a 6.2-year payback period, the return is strong in aggregate and exceptional for CS and economics graduates. Tufts' aid program makes the institution effectively affordable for low-income students who gain admission.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30001-48000 bracket pays $9,811 — the lowest net price in the income schedule, reflecting Tufts' strong commitment to middle-income access. The 48001-75000 bracket pays $14,923. Families in these brackets are paying less than in-state tuition at many large public universities for an institution with a 93.5% completion rate and median debt of $16,250. The financial case at these price points is compelling across nearly all programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $58,570 per year — approximately $234,280 over four years. At this cost, CS, economics, and engineering graduates return their investment within 3-4 years. Fine and Studio Arts, biology (pre-professional), and some humanities programs present less favorable math for full-pay families. Program selection matters significantly at the high-income bracket.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Tufts University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $123,809 | A |
| Computer Science | $156,343 | A |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $77,998 | B+ |
| Biology | $76,782 | B |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $79,571 | B+ |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,365 | F |
| International Relations | $78,180 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $101,196 | A |
| Public Health | $75,448 | B+ |
| Biopsychology | $43,343 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is Tufts' strongest program: 211 graduates, $105,659 year-one and $156,343 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.147 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $15,500 against $105,659 year-one earnings is exceptional. The Tufts CS pipeline feeds into Boston and Bay Area tech companies, quantitative finance, and graduate programs at top research institutions. The four-year trajectory to $156k ranks among the highest in this batch of schools.
Economics
Economics is the largest program at 217 graduates, $75,125 year-one and $123,809 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.238 (ROI grade A). The four-year figure of $123,809 reflects Tufts economics graduates entering finance, consulting, and policy roles that compound well. Median debt of $17,850 is low at these earnings. This is among the strongest economics ROI profiles in this database.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering had 79 graduates at $78,441 year-one and $101,196 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.210 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $16,500 is well below the engineering average. The Tufts School of Engineering serves Boston's biomedical and defense industries with direct placement access. Year-four earnings above $100k reflect career progression in a premium engineering labor market.
Cognitive Science
Cognitive Science had 33 graduates at $75,672 year-one and $130,801 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.238 (ROI grade A). This interdisciplinary program, combining neuroscience, CS, and linguistics, feeds into tech, AI research, and clinical neuroscience graduate programs. The $130,801 four-year figure reflects graduates who have advanced into specialized tech or research roles where cognitive science training creates premium value.
International Relations
International Relations had 81 graduates at $67,713 year-one and $78,180 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.262 (ROI grade B+). Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy creates a distinctive pipeline for undergraduates interested in international affairs; the year-one figure of $67,713 is substantially higher than this major produces at most institutions, reflecting Tufts' strong placement into policy, consulting, and international organizations.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 93.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 94.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 91.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 94.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 11.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 750-790 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 720-770 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 33-35 |
| Enrollment | 7,061 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 12.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,205 |
At 11.49% admission with SAT 750-790 Math mid-range and ACT 33-35, Tufts sits in the same tier as Georgetown and Vanderbilt. Test scores describe the middle half — about a third of admits are above the ceiling. The institution is notably selective for international affairs and public policy; students targeting those fields face stiff competition even within the admitted pool. Financial aid policy meets full demonstrated need for all admitted students.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include Amherst College, Emory University, Georgetown University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Among these, Carnegie Mellon has higher median 6-year earnings ($100,300+) driven by its heavy CS mix, while Georgetown's earnings are closer to Tufts ($59,000). Emory and Tufts have nearly identical ROI score profiles. Tufts' median debt of $16,250 is the lowest in this peer group, and the repayment rate of 94.7% at year 3 matches or exceeds all peers. The earnings premium sub-score (67) is the lowest of the group, reflecting Tufts' significant share of students entering graduate school or lower-paying first jobs in arts and policy fields.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tufts University (this school) | 86 | $39,998 | $83,214 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 97 | $31,944 | $114,862 |
| Georgetown University | 93 | $40,815 | $103,494 |
| Emory University | 92 | $22,585 | $80,137 |
| Amherst College | 90 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| American International College | 38 | $23,274 | $53,124 |
Who Thrives Here
Tufts admits 11.49% of applicants — placing it in the highly selective tier below the most elite Ivies but above many NESCAC schools. SAT Math 750-790 and Reading 720-770; ACT 33-35. At 7,061 undergraduates, Tufts is mid-sized for a research university. The Pell grant rate of 12.0% is low, reflecting the income distribution of a highly selective private institution. Tufts' particular draw is international relations, policy, pre-med, and STEM programs with Boston proximity. Students interested in the Fletcher School pipeline, global health, or biomedical research will find institutional strengths here that complement strong program ROI.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Tufts University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $39,998 per year ($159,992 over four years), graduates earn a median of $83,214 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.2 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: a 93.5% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $16,250 is very manageable against $83,214 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.