Tufts University
Tufts University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Tufts University at a Glance
Tufts University is a private research university in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, United States, with additional facilities in Boston and Grafton, as well as Talloires, France. It was founded in 1852 as Tufts College by Christian universalists who sought to provide a nonsectarian institution of higher learning. For much of the 20th century, Jackson College for Women was the coordinate college of Tufts. Tufts remained a small liberal arts college until the 1970s, when it became a larger…
1852
174 years old
$2.7B
$2.71 billion (2025)
13,599
7,126 undergrad · 6,473 grad
765
150 acres
Identity
Is Tufts University Worth It?
Tufts University offers moderate value at $39,998/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $83,214, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 93% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 11% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $16,250 is manageable at just 20% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Tufts University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 22 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #2 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #4 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #5 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #6 | Vanderbilt University | 100 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| #20 | Tufts University | 49 | $39,998 | $83,214 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Tufts University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MA.
Best Programs at Tufts University
The highest-earning program at Tufts University is Computer Science at $88,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $20,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Tufts University earns $88,200, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $20,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $16,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $39,998/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $88,200 | $88,200 | $16,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $66,700 | $66,700 | $17,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,600 | $65,600 | $15,500 |
| Economics | $62,900 | $62,900 | $17,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $46,800 | $46,800 | $16,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $46,200 | $46,200 | $18,500 |
| Psychology, General | $44,600 | $44,600 | $16,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $41,900 | $41,900 | $16,300 |
| Public Health | $41,300 | $41,300 | $16,052 |
| Biopsychology | $40,400 | $40,400 | $18,250 |
| Biology, General | $36,300 | $36,300 | $16,250 |
| Area Studies | $35,500 | $35,500 | $15,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,800 | $30,800 | $17,799 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,500 | $20,500 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Medford, MA
- Student Body
- 7,061 students
- Admission Rate
- 11%
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $39,998
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $83,214
- Median Student Debt
- $16,250