Head-to-Head Comparison
Tufts University vs Washington and Lee University
- Tufts Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 20
- Washington Lee Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington and Lee University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $23,781 vs Tufts University's $39,998, Washington and Lee University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Washington and Lee University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $94,810 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Tufts
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Washington Lee
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than Tufts University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,781, roughly $16,217 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Tufts graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (20% of degrees); Washington Lee in Business & Marketing (32%). 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 Washington and Lee University over Tufts University. Median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment vs $83,214.
Pick Washington and Lee University over Tufts University. Net price $23,781 vs $39,998.
Pick Tufts University over Washington and Lee University. 2.1% mobility rate vs 0.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Tufts University and Washington and Lee University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Tufts University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Washington and Lee University takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,498.
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, Washington and Lee University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,781, about $16,217 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $64,868 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington and Lee University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Washington and Lee University graduates report median earnings of $94,810, compared with $83,214 at Tufts University. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, Tufts University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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.
Moving people up
Tufts University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.1%; at Washington and Lee University, it is 0.6%. Tufts University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Tufts 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Washington and Lee University to keep costs and debt down; pick Tufts University if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Tufts University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Washington and Lee University leans toward Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,998 runs well above Washington and Lee University's $23,781.
- Business and consulting-track students: Tufts University has less business program depth, and Washington and Lee University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Tufts University's enrollment of 7,061 far exceeds Washington and Lee University's 1,881.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $16,250 at Tufts University.
- Engineering-focused students: Tufts University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington Lee offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Tufts 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) 6 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
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.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Washington and Lee University draws students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This private institution, located in Lexington, Virginia, is known for strong programs in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. If you’re looking for a place that encourages critical thinking and a close-knit community, this might just be the right fit for you.
Graduates from Washington and Lee see impressive earnings, with a median income of $94,810 ten years after graduation. This kind of financial outcome suggests that students who excel here are well-prepared for the job market and often find themselves in higher-paying positions. The strong graduation rate of 94% also points to a supportive environment that helps students succeed academically and transition smoothly into their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Washington and Lee, the net price after aid stands at $23,781, which is relatively manageable given the high earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $19,500, students can graduate with a reasonable amount of loans, especially considering the high salaries many alumni achieve. Those who thrive here are typically driven, engaged, and ready to make the most of their educational experience.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington and Lee University is featured on the Best Colleges in Virginia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Tufts's top program is Sociology (20% of enrollment), while Washington Lee leads with Business Administration (32%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Tufts) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Washington Lee).
The two schools feed different job markets. Tufts University is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Washington and Lee University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Psychology. 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 Tufts University or Washington and Lee University?
Tufts University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 14% at Washington and Lee University.
Which is more affordable, Tufts University or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,781 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Tufts University or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Washington and Lee University graduates earn more: median earnings of $94,810 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,214 at Tufts University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Tufts University or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 93%.
Tufts University vs Washington and Lee University: which is better for social mobility?
Tufts University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.1% versus 0.6%.
Should you choose Tufts University or Washington and Lee University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington and Lee University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Tufts University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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