Head-to-Head Comparison
Syracuse University vs Tufts University
- Syracuse Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 6
- Tufts Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Syracuse University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Tufts University achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 82%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $39,998 compared to Syracuse University's $38,793. Students who choose Syracuse University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $79,164 at ten years.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Syracuse
- Lower cost: Average net price of $38,793, roughly $1,205 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Tufts
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $83,214 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Syracuse University
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #53
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Syracuse graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% of degrees); Tufts in Social Sciences (20%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Tufts University over Syracuse University. Median earnings of $83,214 ten years after enrollment vs $79,164.
Pick Syracuse University over Tufts University. Net price $38,793 vs $39,998.
Pick Tufts University over Syracuse University. THE World Rank #53 vs #177.
Pick Syracuse University over Tufts University. 2.9% mobility rate vs 2.1%.
Pick Tufts University over Syracuse University. 93% completion rate vs 82%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Syracuse University and Tufts University are close on paper, but Tufts University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Tufts University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Syracuse University takes 46%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,375 to 1,513.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Tufts University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Syracuse University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $38,793, about $1,205 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $4,820 before any change in aid. Choosing Syracuse University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Tufts University graduates report median earnings of $83,214, compared with $79,164 at Syracuse University. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Tufts University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Tufts University graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 82%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Syracuse University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Tufts University, it is 2.1%. Syracuse University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Syracuse University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Tufts University sits higher, at #53 versus #177.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Syracuse University to keep costs and debt down; pick Tufts University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Syracuse University saves about $1,205 a year, yet Tufts University graduates earn $4,050 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Tufts University is harder to get into, with a 11% admit rate, but Syracuse University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Syracuse University concentrates enrollment in Communications, Business & Marketing, while Tufts University leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $16,250 at Tufts University.
- Engineering-focused students: Tufts University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Syracuse University's enrollment of 15,477 far exceeds Tufts University's 7,061.
No strong negative signals — Tufts competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 1 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit
With nearly 15,500 students, Syracuse University creates a vibrant community for those interested in fields like Communications, Business & Marketing, and Visual & Performing Arts. The acceptance rate of 46% means it's fairly selective, but there's a good chance for dedicated applicants to find their place here. The strong graduation rate of 82% speaks to the supportive environment designed to help students succeed, both academically and personally.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn an impressive average of $79,164 within ten years of completing their degrees. This level of earning potential highlights the value of the programs here, especially for those who dive into in-demand fields. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some affordability challenges, the outcomes suggest that many graduates move up the economic ladder, benefiting from the skills and networks developed during their time at Syracuse.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid sits at $38,793, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $26,000 is reasonable for many students, especially when weighed against their post-graduation salaries. Those who thrive here tend to be driven, engaged in campus life, and ready to take advantage of the resources available, setting them up for future success in their careers.
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Tufts University attracts students who are ready to engage in a vibrant academic community. This school is ideal for those passionate about social sciences, engineering, biology and biomedical fields, computer science and IT, or the visual and performing arts. What stands out is the commitment to a well-rounded education that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary study, making it a great fit for curious minds eager to make an impact.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a 10-year median salary of $83,214. This figure highlights the strong return on investment for graduates. With a graduation rate of 93%, it's clear that students not only thrive academically but also transition successfully into their careers. While the Pell Grant rate is at 12%, indicating that a smaller percentage of students come from low-income backgrounds, those who do tend to find pathways to upward mobility in their professional lives.
Looking at the practical side, the net price of attending Tufts is around $39,998 after aid, which is significant but manageable for many. Graduates carry a median debt of $16,250, a figure that suggests a thoughtful balance between investment in education and financial responsibility. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are driven, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Rankings They Appear On
Tufts University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 13% of Syracuse's student body and 20% of Tufts's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Syracuse) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Tufts).
The two schools feed different job markets. Syracuse University is strongest in Communications, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, while Tufts University concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Syracuse University or Tufts University?
Tufts University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 46% at Syracuse University.
Which is more affordable, Syracuse University or Tufts University?
Syracuse University is more affordable, with an average net price of $38,793 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Syracuse University or Tufts University graduates earn more?
Tufts University graduates earn more: median earnings of $83,214 ten years after enrollment, versus $79,164 at Syracuse University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Syracuse University or Tufts University?
Tufts University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 82%.
Syracuse University vs Tufts University: which is better for social mobility?
Syracuse University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 2.1%.
Should you choose Syracuse University or Tufts University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Syracuse University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Tufts University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Syracuse and Tufts stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
