Tufts vs. Barnard

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Barnard College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tufts University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 3,487 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Tufts vs. Barnard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Barnard? 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 Barnard College than Tufts ($26,407 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 14.4% lower than at Barnard College ($18,588 vs. $21,714).
• Tufts University is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Barnard (about $816 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $69,888.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Tufts than at Barnard College (about $816 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $69,888.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tufts University than at Barnard College (39% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($63,131 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Barnard Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts or Barnard? 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 Barnard and Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is the same as at Barnard (1520).
• Incoming Tufts students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Barnard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Barnard College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Barnard College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Barnard - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Barnard (3.85).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Tufts vs. Barnard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Barnard? 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).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $153 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($17,847 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($184 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Barnard students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.