Tufts vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Tufts vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Tufts ($29,981 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 1.9% lower than at Tufts University ($18,240 vs. $18,588).
• Vassar College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tufts (about $326 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $70,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Vassar than at Tufts University (about $326 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $70,704.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Tufts University (55% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($57,443 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 20 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Tufts students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Tufts vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $2,220 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($15,780 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($163 vs. $186).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tufts students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 91%)

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.