Tufts vs. Wellesley

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Tufts vs. Wellesley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts or Wellesley? 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 Wellesley College than Tufts ($22,174 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 11.6% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,588 vs. $21,024).
• Tufts University is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $3,528 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Tufts than at Wellesley College (about $3,528 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wellesley College than at Tufts University (54% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($64,116 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Wellesley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 10 points higher than at Wellesley (1510).
• Incoming Tufts students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Wellesley (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 1470/1560; Wellesley College 1460/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Wellesley College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Wellesley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• Wellesley has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 47.6% at Wellesley.

Tufts vs. Wellesley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts and Wellesley? 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $9,100 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($8,900 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($92 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.