Tufts Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Medford, MA
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#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Tufts Admission Overview

Tufts admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Massachusetts. Last year Tufts admitted 11.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1470-1560 / ACT 33-35. Tufts is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Tufts Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

11.5%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Tufts University

Acceptance Rate

The Tufts acceptance rate is 11.5%. Last year, only 3,957 of 34,432 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 38th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Tufts and can you get accepted?

Tufts is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 46% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Tufts GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.91*

Typical High School Grades

A

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.91*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Tufts has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.91 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.91 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Tufts is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.91 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Tufts Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Tufts University is test-optional for all first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants. Students decide before submitting whether SAT or ACT scores will be reviewed; that choice cannot change after the application is submitted. Enrolling students who submitted scores must send official reports. Tufts superscores SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math and calculates an ACT superscore composite. ACT science and writing are not required. Tufts encourages applicants with SAT 1300 or ACT 28 or higher to include those scores.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/applying-to-tufts/sat-and-act-tests/

Tufts SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1470-1560

Freshmen who sent SAT

40%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 720
  • Math 750
  • Composite 1470
SAT 25th percentile scores for Tufts University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 770
  • Math 790
  • Composite 1560
SAT 75th percentile scores for Tufts University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Tufts typically score around a 1520 SAT (middle 50% 1470–1560) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Tufts ranks #6 in the state of Massachusetts and #28 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1470 to 1560

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1470–1560 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Tufts is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Tufts University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1560+ Above 75th >19%
1520 to 1560 Avg + 12%-19%
1470 to 1520 Avg - 6%-12%
Below 1470 Below mid-50 <6%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Tufts ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

33-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 33
ACT 25th percentile scores for Tufts University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 35
ACT 75th percentile scores for Tufts University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Tufts typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Tufts places #6 among colleges in Massachusetts and #18 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Tufts without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Tufts University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
35+ Above 75th >19%
34 to 35 Avg + 11%-19%
33 to 34 Avg - 6%-11%
Below 33 Below mid-50 <6%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

82% of Tufts University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Tufts University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 82%
Top 25% of class 97%
Top 50% of class 100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Tufts chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Tufts University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 18,839 14,314 34,432
Accepted 2,189 1,633 3,957
Acceptance Rate 12% 11% 11%
Enrolled 1,000 733 1,801
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 46% 45% 46%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Tufts University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Tufts University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Tufts University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Tufts University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Tufts is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 11.5% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1470-1560); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Tufts University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=168148.

GPA calculator: Tufts University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026