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Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Tufts University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institute in Cambridge, MA. Tufts University is a private university in Medford, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits about 5% of applicants and Tufts University about 11%, making Massachusetts Institute of Technology the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $20,111 a year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after aid, and about $39,998 at Tufts University. About 96% of students graduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared with 93% at Tufts University. Ten years after enrolling, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $143,372, against $83,214 for Tufts University.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Cambridge, MA
Medford, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
4,535
7,061
Acceptance rate
5%
11%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.53–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1520–1580
1470–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
34–36
33–35
Test policy
Required
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$20,111
$39,998
Full cost / yr
$82,730
$88,300
In-state tuition
$62,396
$70,704
Out-of-state tuition
$62,396
$70,704
Application fee
$75
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$0*
$11,284
$30k - $48k
$93
$9,811
$48k - $75k
$1,480
$14,923
$75k - $110k
$11,555
$23,311
Over $110k
$48,479
$58,570
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
93%
Freshman retention
99%
96%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$131,633
$68,337
Median earnings (10 yr)
$143,372
$83,214
Median debt at graduation
$14,768
$16,250
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
12%
First-generation students
26%
15%
International students
12%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 2
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Jan 4

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Tufts University harder to get into?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 11% at Tufts University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Tufts University?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $20,111 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $39,998 at Tufts University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University?
Before aid, Massachusetts Institute of Technology costs about $82,730 a year and Tufts University about $88,300. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Tufts University?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,533 there, against about $11,284 at Tufts University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Tufts University?
Tufts University is the larger of the two, with about 7,061 undergraduates against 4,535 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Does Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Tufts University have a better graduation rate?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 93% at Tufts University.
Do graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Tufts University earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $143,372 ten years after enrolling, against about $83,214 for Tufts University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University require SAT or ACT scores?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores. Tufts University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1520–1580 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 1470–1560 at Tufts University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school