University in United States
Medford, MA, United States
University profile
Tufts University is a private research university in Massachusetts, founded in 1852 and guided by the motto Pax et Lux ("Peace and Light"). It combines the close-knit community of a liberal arts college with the resources of a research university, and describes itself as student-centered, with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and a commitment to civic engagement.
Tufts has four campuses: Medford/Somerville (about five miles from downtown Boston), the SMFA campus in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, the Boston Health Sciences campus, and the Grafton campus of about 600 acres for veterinary medicine.
Schools and colleges: School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, The Fletcher School, University College, Tisch College of Civic Life and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Medford/Somerville and Boston); Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine and the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy (Boston Health Sciences); and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (Grafton). The three undergraduate schools are Arts and Sciences (about 5,000 students), Engineering (about 1,300) and SMFA (about 600).
Tufts holds the highest (tier 1) Carnegie classification for research activity, and over 60% of undergraduates take part in research. There are 1,215,094 volumes in six libraries, 460 student organizations and 72 NESCAC championships.
The majority of undergraduates live on campus, in about 40 residences including over 25 residence halls (twelve for first-years) and more than 15 special-interest houses. On-campus housing is required and guaranteed for first-years and sophomores. Dining, athletics (NESCAC), arts and civic engagement programs are central to student life.
Students with non-US passports make up over 13% of undergraduates, from more than 100 countries. The International Center, serving the community since the 1950s, provides visa and immigration advising, and Global Orientation welcomes new international students. 12% of the Class of 2029 first-years are international students.
Undergraduate aid in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering is awarded entirely on financial need, and Tufts meets 100% of the demonstrated need of every admitted student regardless of citizenship status. Offers combine grants, student loans and work-study. Tufts grants range from $1,000 to more than $80,000, and about forty percent of undergraduates receive Tufts grants. Aid is offered for up to eight semesters (up to ten for the five-year BFA+BA/BS).
Students with family income under $60,000 typically receive offers with no loans. First-year domestic students typically receive a $3,500 subsidized Federal Direct Loan; some recipients are offered a need-based Tufts Loan of $500 to $2,000 a year. Work-study allocations average $2,000 to $2,600 a year, at a minimum of $15.00 an hour.
From the fall 2026 entering class, U.S. undergraduates attend tuition-free if annual family income is under $150,000, with typical assets. Many families with incomes up to $300,000 qualify for some aid.
Tufts does not offer merit scholarships to undergraduates apart from the Tufts National Merit Scholarship ($500 per semester for up to eight semesters for National Merit finalists) and ROTC scholarships (Army, Navy, Air Force, through MIT units).
International students are eligible for need-based aid, but must request it when applying for admission. Applicants may submit the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the CSS Profile (code 3901); admitted aid applicants receive a CSS Profile fee waiver, and the $75 application fee is waived for international citizens seeking need-based aid. Davis United World College Scholars from UWC schools receive a need-based grant of up to $10,000 per year.
Indicate intent to apply for aid on the admission application. CSS Profile and FAFSA (code 002219, US citizens and permanent residents only): Early Decision I November 16; Early Decision II January 15; Regular Decision February 1; transfer April 1. Tax documents via IDOC: December 1, February 1, February 15 and April 15 respectively.
Graduate funding (scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, need-based aid) varies by school and program.
Tufts University Need-Based Financial Aid (Undergraduate) →
Tufts Financial Aid for International Undergraduates →
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View scholarships for Tufts University →Admission is holistic: transcripts, extracurricular and community engagement, essays, recommendations and personal attributes. Tufts accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application (Scoir) and QuestBridge. Applicants apply to the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering or the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts, or to the five-year BFA+BA/BS Combined Degree. Tufts is test-optional: applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Applicants who submitted scores for the Class of 2029 were admitted with SAT 1240-1600 and ACT composite 26-36. Scores of 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT are encouraged to be submitted.
Required: application, Tufts short answer questions, official transcripts, senior year grades, counselor recommendation, one core academic teacher recommendation, English proficiency scores where applicable, and a visual art portfolio for BFA applicants. The application fee is $75, with a fee waiver available.
Fall entry only. Applicants must be in good standing at an accredited two- or four-year institution; at least one year of college study is recommended. Common Application for Transfer due March 15, 2027 (BFA portfolio March 22, 2027); decisions by mid-May. Applicants with more than two years of full-time credit are discouraged; Tufts requires at least two years of enrolment to earn a degree.
International applicants submit the same credentials as other applicants, evaluated within their national system (GCSE/A-levels, French Baccalaureate, IB, Abitur and others). English proficiency is required unless the applicant has three or more years in an English-medium secondary school. Accepted tests: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo. There are no minimums; successful applicants generally have TOEFL 100+ (exams before January 21, 2026) or 5.0+ (on or after that date), IELTS 7+, PTE Academic 68+, Duolingo 130+. Self-reported scores are accepted; superscoring is not.
Graduate and professional programs admit through each school. For the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering, requirements are transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume/CV, GRE scores where a program requires them, and English proficiency (Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL) where required. The application fee is $85; School of Engineering Master's and Graduate Certificate applicants for 2027 entry terms have the fee waived.
Six libraries hold 1,215,094 volumes. Undergraduates choose from about 40 residences; the Tufts Dental Clinic serves the community.
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