At $35,435/yr net price, Tufts University graduates earn $83,214/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $49,214/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,435 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $141,740 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $83,214/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$49,214/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 93.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,526/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,995/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,963/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,964/yr |
| $110,001+ | $53,400/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $207,590 | $244,730 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $113,135 | $33,270 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $112,802 | $368,587 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $107,163 | $131,618 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $97,959 | $15,500 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $84,653 | |
| Veterinary Medicine. | Doctoral | $75,880 | $206,815 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,635 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $71,778 | $17,850 |
The Risk Factor
93.3% of students at Tufts University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Tufts gives you a strong financial return, and the debt numbers back that up. You graduate with a median debt of $16,250 against median earnings of $83,214 ten years out, so you owe less than three months of that pay. A 95.92% retention rate and 93.30% graduation rate mean you almost certainly finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether college debt pays off.
Computer science is the clear winner here, paying roughly $98,000 while leaving you with the lowest debt of the top programs at $15,500. That combination is hard to beat. Engineering holds up well too, with electrical and chemical engineering both clearing $73,000. Economics pays $71,778 but comes with slightly higher debt at $17,850, so the gap between it and CS is wider than the salary alone suggests. Sitting in Greater Boston, you have direct access to the tech, biotech, and finance employers that hire from these exact fields.
The risk at Tufts is the sticker price for higher earners. If your family makes over $110k, you pay $53,400 a year, and the programs listed here are the ones with data strong enough to justify that. A humanities or social science degree outside these fields carries no listed earnings figure, so you are betting on a lower salary against a full-freight cost.
The net price tiers make Tufts genuinely affordable if your family earns under $75k. You pay between $10,526 and $14,963, less than many public universities charge in-state. Above $110k, you pay close to full price, and the value depends heavily on your major. Come here for CS or engineering and the math works at almost any income. Come for a field with no earnings data and a $53,400 bill, and you should look harder before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tufts University worth the high cost?
Tufts graduates earn $83,214 annually after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional given the $35,435 yearly net price. The value depends heavily on your program - dentistry and engineering graduates do well, but other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying programs at Tufts University?
Dentistry programs lead with graduates earning over $200,000 annually, followed by engineering fields at $113,135. Computer science graduates average $97,959, making these the strongest ROI options at Tufts.
How much debt do Tufts University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $16,250, which is relatively manageable compared to many private universities. However, this figure only reflects students who borrowed, and many Tufts families pay the full cost without loans.
Does Tufts University provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $35,435 after aid, Tufts costs remain high for most families despite financial assistance. The aid helps but doesn't make the school affordable for middle-class students who don't qualify for need-based grants.