Tufts vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, MA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tufts University is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 405 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Tufts vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($32,367 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 10.7% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($18,588 vs. $20,810).
• Tufts University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $4,306 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Tufts than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $4,306 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Tufts University (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($55,933 vs. $43,290).

Tufts vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts or Olin College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Olin College and Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 10 points higher than at Tufts (1520).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Tufts University 1470/1560; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Tufts University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Tufts students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Tufts vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Olin College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Tufts University have median earnings of about $83,100 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Olin College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $3,290 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($14,710 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($152 vs. $186).

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.