Tufts vs. City College of New York

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY City College is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Tufts vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College than Tufts ($4,664 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 1.3% lower than at CUNY City College ($18,588 vs. $18,840).
• Tufts University is 863.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $63,364 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 362.4% higher at Tufts than at CUNY City College (about $55,414 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at Tufts University (88% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 472.9% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($55,933 vs. $9,763).

Tufts vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts or City College of New York? 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 City College of New York and Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 270 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; City College of New York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Tufts vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and City College of New York? 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).

• Tufts University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $6,600 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($11,400 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($117 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 52%)

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.