Tufts University vs Wesleyan University
Tufts University and Wesleyan University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Tufts, situated just outside Boston, boasts a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including highly regarded engineering and biomedical sciences departments. Wesleyan, nestled in Middletown, Connecticut, prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, small class sizes, and vibrant arts scene. With Tufts' acceptance rate hovering around 15% and Wesleyan's at 19%, both universities are highly selective. While Tufts enrolls a more diverse student body, Wesleyan excels in retaining its students, boasting a higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two exceptional universities and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Tufts University |
![]() Wesleyan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Medford, Massachusetts | Middletown, Connecticut |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 11.4% | 19.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$85
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$55 |
SAT range | 1440 - 1550 | 1300 - 1510 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 31 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 51.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 27.0% |
Total number of applicants | 31,198 | 13,067 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,566 | 2,540 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,800 | 910 |
Yield rate | 50.5% | 35.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $81,700 | $82,245 |
Average net price | $31,630 | $20,535 |
Tuition | $61,646 | $61,449 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,832
Meal plan:
$7,378
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$17,531 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
38.0%
Average amount $47,937 |
40.0%
Average amount $58,925 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $3,824 |
18.0%
Average amount $3,834 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $8,607 |
2.0%
Average amount $27,881 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,676
Men 44.8% Women 55.2% |
3,385
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
Graduate students |
6,617
Men 38.6% Women 61.4% |
196
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 90.3% |
International students | 14.0% | 11.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,100 | 3,063 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Connecticut Maryland | New York California Connecticut New Jersey Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 93.8% | 91.0% |
Dropout rate | 1.2% | 3.6% |
Transferred out | 4.8% | 5.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Doctoral Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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