Head-to-Head Comparison
Texas A&M University-College Station vs Tufts University
- Texas A&M Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 19
- Tufts Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Texas A&M University-College Station offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Tufts University achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $39,998 compared to Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315. Students who choose Texas A&M University-College Station benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,097 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Texas A&M
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,315, roughly $18,683 a year less
Tufts
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $83,214 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than Texas A&M University-College Station
- 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Texas A&M graduates concentrate in Engineering (17% 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 Texas A&M University-College Station. Median earnings of $83,214 ten years after enrollment vs $72,097.
Pick Texas A&M University-College Station over Tufts University. Net price $21,315 vs $39,998.
Pick Tufts University over Texas A&M University-College Station. 93% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Texas A&M University-College Station 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 Texas A&M University-College Station takes 57%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,280 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, Texas A&M University-College Station comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,315, about $18,683 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $17,804.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $74,732 before any change in aid. Choosing Texas A&M University-College Station 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 $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. That is a 15% advantage. Set against borrowing, Tufts University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% 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 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Texas A&M University-College Station to keep costs and debt down; pick Tufts University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Texas A&M University-College Station saves about $18,683 a year, yet Tufts University graduates earn $11,117 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Texas A&M University-College Station concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while Tufts University leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment of 59,615 far exceeds Tufts University's 7,061.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,998 runs well above Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315.
- Business and consulting-track students: Tufts University has less business program depth, and Texas A&M University-College Station offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Tufts offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Texas A&M does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 60,000 students, Texas A&M University-College Station is a bustling hub for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business, Biology, and Health Professions. This diverse community suits students who thrive in a large, spirited environment and are looking for practical, career-oriented education. The 57% acceptance rate indicates a competitive yet accessible admissions process, welcoming a broad range of students keen on making an impact in their chosen fields.
When it comes to life after graduation, the figures speak volumes. Graduates earn an impressive average of $72,097 in their first decade, reflecting the solid return on investment that comes with a degree from Texas A&M. This earning potential, coupled with a graduation rate of 84%, illustrates that many students not only complete their degrees but also step into well-paying jobs. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is also working to support students from diverse financial backgrounds.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,315, which is manageable considering the earning prospects. The median debt of $17,804 is reasonable, especially when weighed against the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage in a collaborative and energetic college culture, preparing them well for their careers ahead.
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
Texas A&M University-College Station is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Texas A&M's top program is Mechanical Engineering (17% of enrollment), while Tufts leads with Sociology (20%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Texas A&M) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Tufts).
The two schools feed different job markets. Texas A&M University-College Station is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, while Tufts University concentrates in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT. 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 Texas A&M University-College Station or Tufts University?
Tufts University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 57% at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which is more affordable, Texas A&M University-College Station or Tufts University?
Texas A&M University-College Station is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,315 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Texas A&M University-College Station or Tufts University graduates earn more?
Tufts University graduates earn more: median earnings of $83,214 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which has a better graduation rate, Texas A&M University-College Station or Tufts University?
Tufts University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 84%.
Should you choose Texas A&M University-College Station or Tufts University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Texas A&M University-College Station 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.
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