Head-to-head comparison
University of Miami vs. Tufts University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Miami or Tufts harder to get into?
Tufts is harder to get into than Miami. Tufts's 9.5% acceptance rate is lower than Miami's 18.9%.
Which is cheaper, Miami or Tufts?
Miami costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Miami's average net price is $37,244 vs $39,998 at Tufts.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Tufts graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $75,328 at Miami and $83,214 at Tufts.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Miami | Tufts |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 18.9% | 9.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1320–1480 | 1490–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 30–33 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $86,078 | $89,464 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $37,244 | $39,998 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 12,913 | 6,826 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 83.7% | 93.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $75,328 | $83,214 |
| Setting | Coral Gables, Florida | Medford, Massachusetts |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Tufts is meaningfully harder to get into. A 9.4-percentage-point gap between 18.9% (Miami) and 9.5% (Tufts) reflects real selectivity differences. Miami is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Tufts draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1550 vs 1480 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Miami is substantially larger with 12,913 undergrads vs 6,826 at Tufts. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Miami is in Coral Gables, Florida; Tufts is in Medford, Massachusetts. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Tufts has a more international student body (12.6% non-resident students vs 7.6%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Tufts's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (93.5% vs 83.7% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Miami is 54.5% women, 7.6% international, and 5.0% Asian-American. Tufts is 56.5% women, 12.6% international, and 16.8% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Miami | Tufts |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.5% | 56.5% |
| International | 7.6% | 12.6% |
| White | 48.5% | 40.6% |
| Asian | 5.0% | 16.8% |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 10.1% |
| Black | 7.0% | 6.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Miami vs. Tufts?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Miami if
- Your odds are realistic at Miami (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Miami costs $2,754 less per year on average
- the Frost School of Music
Pick Tufts if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($83,214 vs $75,328)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Fletcher School ties
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
University of Miami
18.9% accept · Coral Gables, Florida
Full profile
Tufts University
9.5% accept · Medford, Massachusetts
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.