Tufts University

With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and average class size of 20, Tufts strikes a rare balance between research opportunities and personalized attention. Over 70 majors include standouts like International Relations (a feeder for the Fletcher School), Computer Science, and Biology (40% of students pursue pre-health tracks). The top 2022-2023 majors were:

• Computer Science
• Economics
• International Relations
• Biology
• Political Science

Interdisciplinary work is encouraged—engineering students might minor in Museum Studies, while liberal arts majors collaborate at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

The vibe is 'work hard, play quirky'—students describe a laid-back social scene with niche traditions like the Naked Quad Run and Tuftonia's Day carnival. While Greek life exists (15% participation), the 400+ clubs dominate, from the competitive Mock Trial team to the decades-old Tufts Mountain Club. The campus buzzes with activism (Tufts was the first U.S. university to divest from fossil fuels) and a cappella groups (there are 13). Proximity to Boston means easy access to internships and concerts, though some lament the 'suburban sleepiness' of Medford.

Tufts' 94% six-year graduation rate outpaces national averages by 40+ points. Alumni earnings are strong: $63,641 at one year post-graduation, jumping to $86,650 by year five (well above the $60,377 national median). The Career Center reports that 72% of graduates secure jobs within six months, with top employers including Mass General Hospital, Google, and the U.S. State Department. Notably, 19% pursue advanced degrees immediately, often at peer institutions like Harvard and Columbia.

At $66,358 total annual cost (2024-2025), Tufts is pricey but increasingly accessible: families earning <$150k will pay $0 in tuition thanks to a 2024 policy change. The average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $33,908, with 44% of undergrads receiving need-based grants. The MyinTuition estimator helps applicants gauge costs in minutes—a rarity among elite privates. Notably, aid packages exclude loans, relying instead on grants and work-study.

Tufts defies easy categorization—it's a research university that feels like a liberal arts college, a STEM powerhouse with renowned arts programs, and a progressive campus that still cherishes goofy traditions. The combination attracts polymaths: the pre-med who minors in philosophy, the engineer who writes for the satire magazine. Its 'civic university' ethos means students don't just study global issues—they intern at the UN, research with Nobel laureates, and launch nonprofits before graduation. For those seeking rigor without cutthroat competition, it's a golden mean.