Head-to-head comparison
University of Miami vs. Tulane University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Miami or Tulane harder to get into?
Tulane is harder to get into than Miami. Tulane's 14.0% acceptance rate is lower than Miami's 18.9%.
Which is cheaper, Miami or Tulane?
Miami costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Miami's average net price is $37,244 vs $39,949 at Tulane.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Miami graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $75,328 at Miami and $63,268 at Tulane.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Miami | Tulane |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 18.9% | 14.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1320–1480 | 1400–1520 |
| ACT mid-50% | 30–33 | 31–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $86,078 | $87,004 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $37,244 | $39,949 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 12,913 | 7,767 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 83.7% | 86.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $75,328 | $63,268 |
| Setting | Coral Gables, Florida | New Orleans, Louisiana |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Tulane is meaningfully harder to get into. A 4.9-percentage-point gap between 18.9% (Miami) and 14.0% (Tulane) reflects real selectivity differences. Miami is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Tulane draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1520 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 graduates earn $12,060 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Tulane grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Miami is substantially larger with 12,913 undergrads vs 7,767 at Tulane. 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; Tulane is in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Miami is 54.5% women, 7.6% international, and 5.0% Asian-American. Tulane is 62.0% women, 4.9% international, and 5.6% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Miami | Tulane |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.5% | 62.0% |
| International | 7.6% | 4.9% |
| White | 48.5% | 64.3% |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 11.3% |
| Black | 7.0% | 7.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Miami vs. Tulane?
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 $2,705 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($75,328 vs $63,268)
- the Frost School of Music
Pick Tulane if
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its public service graduation requirement
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
Tulane University
14.0% accept · New Orleans, Louisiana
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.