Tufts vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Tufts vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Tufts ($18,211 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 11.6% lower than at Tufts University ($16,436 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 689.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $61,751 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 268.2% higher at Tufts than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $51,501 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Tufts University (72% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 436.2% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($55,933 vs. $10,432).

Tufts vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 240 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Tufts students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Tufts vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $42,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tufts University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($18,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Tufts graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($186 vs. $232).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 65%)

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.