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New York University vs Tufts University

New York University is extremely selective with a 9.4% acceptance rate, making it harder to get into than Tufts University (10.1%). Both schools produce similar 10-year median earnings around $83,214. For families earning $48k–$75k, Tufts University is more affordable at $14,923 net price vs $16,862. Students at Tufts University graduate with less debt ($16,250 vs $20,500).

Admissions & Outcomes

New York University has a higher yield rate (54.4%), meaning a larger share of admitted students choose to enroll — a strong signal of student preference. Both schools have similar median SAT scores around 1530, so standardized test scores alone won't differentiate applicants.

New York University

New York, NY

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Acceptance Rate
9.4%
10.1%
Applicants (2023)
113,578
34,003
Median SAT
1530
1510
Yield Rate
54.4%
50.5%
6-Year Graduation Rate
88.0%
93.4%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$82,509
$83,214
Median Earnings (6yr)
$64,543
$68,337
Median Debt
$20,500
$16,250
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$52,204
$59,560
Room & Board
$19,244
$15,630

Net Price by Family Income

Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships — often far less than the sticker price. It varies dramatically by family income. For low-income families ($0–$30k), Tufts University is more affordable at $11,284 per year. At higher incomes ($110k+), the gap narrows — $66,876 vs $58,570.

Family Income
New York University
Tufts University
$0 – $30k
$16,977
$11,284
$30k – $48k
$14,017
$9,811
$48k – $75k
$16,862
$14,923
$75k – $110k
N/A
N/A
$110k+
$66,876
$58,570

Net price data from College Scorecard. Run each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate based on your family's finances.

Financial Aid

Institutional grants come directly from the school's endowment and don't need to be repaid. A high institutional grant rate means the school is investing its own funds in affordability. New York University enrolls more Pell Grant recipients (19%), indicating stronger support for students from lower-income backgrounds.

Metric
New York University
Tufts University
Students Receiving Grants
46%
40%
Average Grant Amount
$40,263
$51,231
Pell Grant Recipients
19%
12%
Institutional Grant Rate
39%
41%
Avg Institutional Grant
$45,087
$49,709

Highest-Earning Majors

Median earnings within two years of graduation. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on lifetime earnings than the school name on your diploma.

New York University

  • 1 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
    $94,243
  • 2 Mathematics and Statistics, Other
    $86,424
  • 3 Finance and Financial Management Services
    $84,653
  • 4 Business/Commerce, General
    $82,507
  • 5 Computer and Information Sciences, General
    $79,957

Tufts University

  • 1 Computer Science
    $97,959
  • 2 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
    $84,653
  • 3 Chemical Engineering
    $73,635
  • 4 Economics
    $71,778
  • 5 Human Computer Interaction
    $69,732

Most Popular Majors

The most popular majors by number of degrees awarded. This gives you a sense of each school's academic strengths and where students concentrate.

New York University

  • 1 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
  • 2 Economics
  • 3 Research and Experimental Psychology
  • 4 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • 5 Business/Commerce, General

Tufts University

  • 1 Computer Science
  • 2 Economics
  • 3 Biology, General
  • 4 International Relations and National Security Studies
  • 5 Mechanical Engineering

Campus & Student Body

Enrollment size, diversity, and retention paint a picture of campus culture. A high retention rate means students are satisfied enough to return after freshman year.

Metric
New York University
Tufts University
Total Enrollment
57,335
13,274
Retention Rate
96%
96%
Women
58%
59%
International Students
34%
15%
Asian
17%
16%
Hispanic/Latino
12%
10%
Black
6%
6%
White
24%
43%

For International Students

Key cost and campus considerations for students coming from outside the US.

New York University

  • International students34%
  • Tuition (international)$52,204
  • Est. total cost/year$74,124
  • School typePublic

Tufts University

  • International students15%
  • Tuition (international)$59,560
  • Est. total cost/year$76,492
  • School typePublic

What international students should know

  • International students pay out-of-state tuition at public universities. Private universities charge the same tuition for all students.
  • Most federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) is not available to international students. Look for institutional aid and merit scholarships.
  • F-1 visa holders can work on-campus during the school year and use CPT/OPT for internships and post-graduation employment.
  • Schools with a higher international student percentage typically have stronger support services — dedicated international offices, visa advising, and cultural programs.
  • With 34% international enrollment, New York University likely has a well-established international student community.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder to get into New York University or Tufts University?

New York University is more selective with a 9.4% acceptance rate, compared to 10.1%. Both are competitive schools that receive tens of thousands of applications each year.

Which school has higher earnings: New York University or Tufts University?

Tufts University graduates earn more at the 10-year mark, with median earnings of $83,214 compared to $82,509. Earnings vary significantly by major — STEM fields typically produce the highest returns at both schools.

Which is cheaper: New York University or Tufts University?

For middle-income families ($48k–$75k), Tufts University has a lower net price at $14,923 per year vs $16,862. Net price varies by family income — use each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the graduation rate at New York University vs Tufts University?

Tufts University has a higher 6-year graduation rate at 93.4%, compared to 88.0%. A high graduation rate signals strong academic support, student engagement, and a campus culture where students thrive.

Which school has more international students: New York University or Tufts University?

New York University has a larger international student population at 34% of enrollment. A higher international student percentage often means stronger support services for visa holders, including dedicated international student offices, OPT/CPT guidance, and cultural programming.

What are the highest-paying majors at New York University and Tufts University?

At New York University, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn a median of $94,243 within two years. At Tufts University, the top-earning major is Computer Science at $97,959. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on earnings than which school you attend.

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