Tufts vs. Hunter

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY Hunter College is larger than Tufts based on total student enrollment (22,538 students vs. 13,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); CUNY Hunter College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Hunter College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; CUNY Hunter College 14:1.

Tufts vs. Hunter Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Hunter? 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 Hunter College than Tufts ($4,431 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 36.3% lower than at Tufts University ($11,832 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 857.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hunter (about $63,322 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $7,382.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 361.2% higher at Tufts than at CUNY Hunter College (about $55,372 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $15,332.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at Tufts University (87% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 473.4% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($55,933 vs. $9,755).

Tufts vs. Hunter Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 260 points higher than at Hunter (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; CUNY Hunter College 1100/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Hunter - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Hunter (3.7).
• Hunter has a higher acceptance rate (53.8%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 16.7% at Hunter.

Tufts vs. Hunter Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Hunter? 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 Hunter College's (46%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $34,300 more per year than Hunter graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $6,452 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($11,548 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($119 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 56%)

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.