Tufts University announced on March 20 that it has admitted 10 percent of applicants to its undergraduate Class of 2030, selecting students from a record high of 36,000 first-year applications. Admissions decisions were sent out on March 19, according to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
The announcement is significant as it reflects both increased interest in Tufts and the university’s efforts to attract a diverse and talented student body. JT Duck, dean of admissions for the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, said the admitted class includes students who are “entrepreneurial, collaborative, civically engaged, active members of their school and local communities.”
Duck described the incoming class as “creative artists, active learners, genuinely curious about the world, eager to be contributing members of their college community and to put their talents to work to effect good in the world.” He also noted that top academic interests among admitted students include biology; international relations; mechanical engineering; economics; political science; biomedical engineering; cognitive and brain sciences; computer science; and interdisciplinary art.
Applicants cited Tufts’ academic reputation, faculty excellence, student-centered approach, positive campus visit experiences, and strong career outcomes as reasons for choosing Tufts. Duck added that financial aid policies such as meeting full demonstrated need and the new Tufts Tuition Pact—which will make tuition free for U.S. families earning less than $150,000 starting in Fall 2026—were important factors for many students. “This policy strengthens and clarifies our commitment to making Tufts affordable for admitted students,” Duck said. “We meet the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students, regardless of citizenship. Tufts is one of a relatively small number of U.S. universities that make that commitment.”
Other attractions included campus resources like the Derby Entrepreneurship Center, Experimental College, Tisch College of Civic Life, metropolitan Boston location, and a strong NCAA Division III athletics program with four national championships this year.
The admissions team met more than 17,000 prospective students during recruitment visits across about 40 states and over 30 countries on five continents. This outreach contributed to historic application numbers including record Early Decision, QuestBridge Match, and transfer applicant pools.
Highlights from this year’s admitted class show that 56 percent attend public high schools while about 11 percent are first-generation college-bound students. Around 15 percent are eligible for federal Pell Grants. More than eighty students were accepted from host communities Medford, Somerville, Boston, and Grafton. All fifty states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam are represented among admits.
Internationally minded as well: ten percent are international students from over sixty countries. The top six states represented are Massachusetts, New York, California, New Jersey, Connecticut—and Texas saw a fifty percent increase in admits compared to four years ago.
Duck also shared an observation about student interests: “Crocheting! More students than in any prior class that I can remember told us that crocheting… was an important part of how they spent their time with friends or outside of class.”
Admitted students will have opportunities to visit campus during three Jumbo Days events in April at Medford/Somerville and one at SMFA campus along with virtual events throughout Jumbo Month.
