Tufts University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

A top private research institution that’s also committed to liberal arts, Tufts University, located just outside of Boston, is known for its quality education. With three schools — the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) — the university supports interdisciplinary degrees. Most classes have less than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio is just 10:1.

Total Cost of Attendance

Tufts tuition for the 2024-25 school year was $70,704. This is 70% more than the national average for tuition at a private university, which is $41,540.

Financial Aid

Tufts financial aid, which 46% of its first-year students receive, may be grants, scholarships, student loans, or a combination of these. Tufts is “need blind,” meaning that your ability to pay the Tufts University tuition won’t be a deciding factor when you apply.

Explore financial aid options: Massachusetts Student Loans & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be provided by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, or nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. These loans come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than those of private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool from SoFi

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

To help with Tufts University tuition, 19% of first-year students use federal student loans, and 8% take out private student loans averaging $11,848.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school. By contrast, with federal student loans, you don’t have to start paying the money back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The price for a first-year undergraduate in 2024-25 — including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses — was $92,088. If this remains true for all four years, the price for four years would be $368,352. This is significantly higher than U.S. private institutions’ average four-year cost of $241,680.

Here’s some student loan and scholarship information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The cost of Tufts University tuition and fees, plus books and supplies, was $71,704 in 2024-25. Many students receive Tufts financial aid to help with this cost.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tufts tuition plus fees for graduate students was $50,798 in 2024-25. This is slightly lower than the national one-year average for graduate school at a private institution. According to the most recent data, that figure is $51,770.

Cost per Credit Hour

For students who attend part-time, the cost of Tufts University per credit hour is $2,999. Additional mandatory fees total $6,327 per year.

Campus Housing Expenses

*Average rate based on available one-bedroom apartments on Tufts University’s off-campus housing website in 2025.

At Tufts, freshmen are required to live on campus for two years. There are triple-, double- and single-occupancy options for first-year students in one of 14 residence halls.

Tufts University Acceptance Rate

Tufts University’s acceptance rate is very selective, at 10%.

Admission Requirements

Tufts University has a rigorous application process. Here’s what you’ll need to apply.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Senior grades

•  Letters of recommendation

•  Portfolio for some programs

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

•  Alumni interview

The deadline for Early Decision I is November 4, with a decision notification by mid-December. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 6, with a decision notification by early February. The deadline for Regular Decision is January 6, with a decision notification by April 1.

SAT and ACT Scores

Though test scores are not required, here are representative scores of admitted students.

Popular Majors at Tufts University

Tufts University offers nearly 150 different undergraduate majors and minors. Here are the most popular majors.

1. Computer Science

Computer Science majors get a solid foundation in theoretical computer science, algorithmic knowledge, applied computer science, and software engineering. They also have the opportunity to participate in research in algorithms and theory of computation, artificial intelligence, computational biology, cognitive science, digital humanities, educational technologies, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 177

2. Quantitative Economics

Mathematically-inclined students will thrive in this program, taking courses like Principles of Economics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Foundations of Quantitative Economics, Topics in Environmental Economics, and Econometric Analysis.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 158

3. Biology

Not only do Biology students get to take courses like Big Bang to Humankind, Neuroanatomy, Gross Anatomy, and Environment Preservation and Improvement, but they also have ample opportunities to participate in research projects.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 134

4. International Relations

Those pursuing this degree take courses like Globalization, Sociology of War and Peace, U.S. Foreign Relations to 1900, International Health Policy, and Comparative Revolutions. They also have the opportunity to study abroad in places like Chile, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, and Spain.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 121

5. Mechanical Engineering

Majors in this program dive deep into mechanics, materials, design, and science subjects, while also having the opportunity to work in labs that focus on acoustics, microelectrical-mechanical systems (MEMS), semiconductor manufacturing, materials characterization, and thermal processing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 79

6. Interdisciplinary Art Studies

This degree, which combines a liberal arts education with intensive studio arts hands-on experience, allows students to create their own program. They can choose courses such as animation, book arts, drawing, film, graphic arts, illustration, jewelry, metals, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, video, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 77

7. Psychology

Psych students take courses like Emotion, Social Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and Brain and Behavior.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 68

8. Biopsychology

This program combines psychology with neurobiology and behavior. It offers courses like Experimental Psychology, Laboratory in Functional Neuroimaging, Biochemistry and Cellular Metabolism, Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders, Animal Behavior, and Endocrinology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 64

9. Community Health

Students learn about factors that determine health and illness, how communities define and try to resolve health-related problems, and the formation of healthcare policies in the United States and other countries.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 63

10. Political Science

There are four components to the Political Science program: American government and politics, comparative politics and government, political theory and philosophy, and international relations. Courses are sometimes taught by political figures and consultants, which connects students to real-world applications of what they learn.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 62

Graduation Rate

These are the graduation rates at Tufts University:

•  4 years: 86%

•  6 years: 93%

•  8 years: 94%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After completing their undergraduate studies at Tufts, students earn on average $83,214. This is higher than the national median figure for post-graduation earnings, which is $68,516.