Tufts University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Tufts University is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 15%. Located in Medford, Massachusetts about five miles from Boston, Tufts offers undergraduate degrees through both its School of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering. Popular undergraduate majors span a wide range of disciplines from English to economics to art, and Tufts was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. Academics are supported by an impressive 8-to-1 student/faculty ratio. The Tufts Jumbos compete in 28 varsity sports in the NCAA Division III and New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Tufts admissions statistics you should know.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Tufts University had an acceptance rate of 15%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 15 students were admitted, making Tufts' admissions process highly competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Beginning with the 2020-21 admissions cycle, Tufts is introducing a 3-year test-optional policy. Applicants during this period may submit SAT or ACT scores, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 56% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Tufts' admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Tufts scored between 680 and 750, while 25% scored below 680 and 25% scored above 750. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 710 and 790, while 25% scored below 710 and 25% scored above 790. This data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1540 or higher is competitive for Tufts.

Requirements

For students who submit test scores, Tufts does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that Tufts participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Beginning with the 2020-21 admissions cycle, Tufts is introducing a 3-year test-optional policy. Applicants during this period may submit SAT or ACT scores, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 44% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Tufts' admitted students fall within the top 3% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Tufts received a composite ACT score between 32 and 34, while 25% scored above 34 and 25% scored below 32.

Requirements

Tufts does not require the ACT writing section. Note that Tufts participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates.

GPA

Tufts does not provide data about admitted students' high school GPAs. In 2019, 80% of admitted students who provided data indicated that they ranked in the top tenth of their high school class.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Tufts University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Tufts University has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, Tufts has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Applicants may also benefit from participating in an optional alumni interview. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and test scores are outside Tuft University's average range.

To apply, students can use the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the Questbridge Application. Tufts has an Early Decision program that can improve admission chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice school.

As can be seen in the graph, there are a lot of red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) hidden behind the green and blue throughout the graph. Many students with grades and test scores that were on target for Tufts University failed to get in, while other students were accepted with test scores and grades a little bit below the norm.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Educational Statistics and Tufts University Undergraduate Admissions Office.