Tufts Admissions Round-up (Class of 2026)
Tufts received more than 34,880 applications for the class of 2026, and accepted just 9%, making it the lowest acceptance rate in the college’s history. This correlates with the astronomical spike in applications: 12% over the 2020-21 cycle, and 50% over the last two years. According to J.T. Duck, dean of admissions for the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, the drop in acceptance rate is also attributed to the decision to accept fewer students out-right due to the high yield of students for the class of 2025, and the desire to accept more students off of the waitlist in May.
In the second year of it’s three-year test-optional pilot program, Tufts reported that 50% of applicants chose to withhold standardized tests scores. Unlike many of its peer schools, Tufts also divulged that only 40% of admitted students were those without test scores. This suggests that, at least for now, submitting strong SAT or ACT scores gives students a slight advantage, and in an admissions landscape this competitive every little bit counts. Note that we do emphasize strong scores. If your student’s test scores aren’t in the top percentile, it might be more beneficial to withhold them.
Additional Stats
55% of the class of 2026 identify as women, 42% identify as men, and 4% identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or preferred not to specify a gender identity. (Rounding accounts for the greater than 100% tally.)
12% of the class are first in their families to attend college, up from 10% last year.
24 students from QuestBridge National College Match program were admitted, as well as more than 200 QuestBridge Scholars.
Keep an eye out for updates in May, when Tufts will accept students off of their waitlist.
