Tufts University: A Comprehensive Look at Undergraduate Enrollment Statistics
Tufts University, a private institution established in 1852, holds a prominent position in higher education. Ranked #37 in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, Tufts is also recognized for its selective admissions, securing the #10 spot in Lowest Acceptance Rates. This article delves into the undergraduate enrollment statistics of Tufts University, providing a detailed overview of its student body, admissions process, costs, and academic outcomes.
General Overview
Tufts University is a private research university located primarily in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, with additional facilities in Boston, Grafton, and Talloires, France. The university enrolls over 13,000 students and offers more than 90 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs across its ten schools. It is also home to the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the oldest graduate school of international relations in the United States.
Campus and Setting
The main campus of Tufts University is situated on Walnut Hill in Medford and Somerville, approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) from Boston. This 150-acre campus houses all undergraduates in Arts & Sciences and Engineering, as well as graduate programs at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and various graduate programs in Arts & Sciences and Engineering. The campus setting is suburban, offering a blend of academic and residential spaces.
Student-Faculty Ratio and Academic Calendar
Tufts University maintains a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty. The university operates on a semester-based academic calendar, providing a structured academic year.
Admissions and Acceptance Rate
Tufts University's admissions process is highly competitive. In 2023, the university received 34,003 undergraduate applications, with 3,444 students being accepted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 10.1%. This acceptance rate reflects the university's selectivity and its appeal to a large pool of applicants.
Read also: Your Guide to Tufts Transfer Admissions
Test-Optional Policy
Tufts University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. For applicants who choose to submit scores, admitted students in the past have had scores ranging from 1240-1600 on the SAT and composite scores ranging from 26-36 on the ACT.
Yield Rate
Tufts University has an overall enrollment yield of 50.5%, indicating the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll.
Enrollment Statistics
In the fall of 2023, Tufts University had a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,877 students. The university's student body is diverse, with a significant representation of various racial and ethnic groups.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment
The majority of students at Tufts University are enrolled full-time. In 2023, full-time enrollment was 11,953 students, while part-time enrollment was 1,321 students. This means that 90% of students enrolled at Tufts University are enrolled full-time.
Enrollment by Race and Ethnicity
The enrolled student population at Tufts University is 43.5% White, 15.5% Asian, 9.54% Hispanic or Latino, 6.44% Black or African American, 5.94% Two or More Races, 0.105% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.0678% American Indian or Alaska Native.
Read also: Exploring Tufts Athletics
Sex Breakdown
In 2023, 1,980 degrees were awarded to men at Tufts University, which is 0.683 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,899).
Costs and Financial Aid
Tufts University's tuition and fees are $70,704. However, the university provides financial aid to a significant portion of its students.
Tuition Costs
In 2023, the cost of tuition at Tufts University was $66,358, which is $35,355 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).
Average Net Price
The average net price for students after factoring in grants and loans is $33,333.
Financial Aid
Thirty-five percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and 40% of all undergraduate students receive financial aid through grants or loans. The average net price for federal loan recipients is $35,123.
Read also: Tufts University Financial Aid
Room and Board
The average yearly cost of room and board at Tufts University was $16,778 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 3.5% between 2022 and 2023.
Academic Outcomes
Tufts University boasts high graduation and retention rates, indicating the success of its students.
Graduation Rate
The four-year graduation rate is 86%. In 2023, 89% of students graduating from Tufts University completed their program within 100% "normal time". Comparatively, 94% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 94% within 200%.
Retention Rate
The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Tufts University was 96%.
Median Salary
Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $68,337.
Historical Context
Tufts University was founded in 1852 by the Universalist Church. Charles Tufts donated 20 acres of land to the church to establish the college. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts chartered Tufts College, noting the college should promote "virtue and piety and learning in such of the languages and liberal and useful arts as shall be recommended."
Early Developments
Hosea Ballou II became the first president in 1853, and College Hall, the first building on campus, was completed the following year. During the Civil War, the college actively supported the Union cause. In 1875, Amos Dolbear, chair of the physics department, installed a working telephone, predating Alexander Graham Bell's patent.
Expansion and Growth
Tufts expanded its programs and departments over the years, including the establishment of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1933 and the addition of graduate programs in engineering. In 2015, the university announced that it would acquire the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.
Campus Features
Tufts University's campus is divided into the "Uphill" and "Downhill" portions. The "Uphill" portion includes the academic and residential quads, while the "Downhill" portion is home to the engineering school. Notable buildings on campus include Ballou Hall, Packard Hall, East Hall, West Hall, Goddard Chapel, Barnum Hall, and Eaton Hall.
Schools and Programs
Tufts University is organized into ten schools, each led by a dean. The School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering are the only schools that award both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Film and Media Studies program and the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service.
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