Tufts vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 4,666 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Providence College 11:1.

Tufts vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Providence? 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 Providence ($32,367 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 4% lower than at Tufts University ($17,840 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $7,154 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Tufts than at Providence College (about $7,154 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Tufts University (83% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 75.5% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($55,933 vs. $31,873).

Tufts vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 200 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Tufts students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Tufts University 1470/1560; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Tufts University 33/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Tufts students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Tufts vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Providence? 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.

• Tufts University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($18,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($186 vs. $279).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

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.