Brandeis University vs. Tufts

Deciding between Brandeis University and Tufts University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Brandeis University
Tufts University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Tufts 13,599
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Tufts #33
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • Tufts -
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • Tufts Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • Tufts
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Tufts $18,588
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Tufts $32,367
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Tufts $55,933
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Tufts 39%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Tufts 34,432
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Tufts 3,957
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Tufts 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Tufts 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Tufts 3.91
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Tufts A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Tufts Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Tufts Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • Tufts 33/35
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • Tufts 1470/1560
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Tufts Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Tufts 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Tufts 90%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Tufts $83,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Tufts 91%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Tufts $18,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Tufts $186
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • Tufts 41%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Tufts 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • Tufts High
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • Tufts No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • Tufts 58%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • Tufts 11%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Tufts 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • Tufts 6%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Tufts 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Tufts 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • Tufts 4%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • Tufts 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Tufts 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • Tufts 22%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Tufts 63%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Tufts Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Brandeis University No
  • Tufts No
  • Meal Plan
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Tufts Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Brandeis University No
  • Tufts No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Brandeis University No
  • Tufts No

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with Tufts University in Medford, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tufts University is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 5,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Tufts University is in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; Tufts University 10:1.

Brandeis University vs. Tufts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University or Tufts? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tufts University than Brandeis University ($32,367 vs. $43,550).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 6.8% lower than at Brandeis University ($18,588 vs. $19,944).
  • Tufts University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Brandeis University (about $2,624 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $68,080.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Tufts than at Brandeis University (about $2,624 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $68,080.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Tufts University (62% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 30.6% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($55,933 vs. $42,841).

Brandeis University vs. Tufts Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University or Tufts? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tufts and Brandeis University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 60 points higher than at Brandeis University (1460).
  • Incoming Tufts students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Brandeis University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Tufts University 1470/1560.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; Tufts University 33/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; Tufts - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Brandeis University (3.84).
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (40.5%) than Tufts (11.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 45.5% at Tufts.

Brandeis University vs. Tufts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University and Tufts? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Brandeis University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
  • Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Brandeis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $66,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($18,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($186 vs. $279).
  • More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.