Tufts University

Medford, MA · founded 1852 · 12,700 students · private research university · NCAA Division III (NESCAC - New England Small College Athletic Conference)

Known for: Tufts is renowned for its international relations program through the Fletcher School, strong pre-medical and engineering programs, and commitment to active citizenship. The university is known for combining liberal arts education with professional preparation and has a reputation for quirky, intellectually curious students.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #40
QS World: #275
Times Higher Education: #170
ARWU Shanghai: #201
Forbes: #36

Top programmes

International Relations
Engineering
Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
Child Development
Biomedical Sciences

Notable alumni

Jamie Dimon — CEO of JPMorgan Chase
Pierre Omidyar — Founder of eBay
Tracy Chapman — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
Hank Azaria — Emmy-winning actor and voice of multiple Simpsons characters
Bill Richardson — Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN and Governor of New Mexico
Meredith Vieira — Television journalist and talk show host
Scott Adams — Creator of Dilbert comic strip
Peter Gallagher — Actor known for The O.C. and Broadway performances

Traditions

Jumbo Day (spring celebration)
Naked Quad Run (during finals)
Tuftonia's Day (homecoming)
Lighting of the Cannon
Senior Week activities

If Tufts University were…

As a food: Shakshuka at a Tel Aviv café — globally influenced, socially conscious — It's a dish born from cultural exchange, served in a place where everyone's arguing about politics and justice over coffee. Tufts kids are the people who study abroad, fall in love with a country's food and problems, the
As an athlete: Megan Rapinoe — World-class talent combined with outspoken activism, equal parts competitive and compassionate, and never shuts up about making the world better. Tufts students play to win but insist the game itself needs reform.
As a person alive today: Samantha Power — Pulitzer-winning journalist turned UN Ambassador and USAID Administrator, blending intellectual rigor with hands-on humanitarian work. Tufts produces the people who write the book on genocide prevention, then go implemen
As a historical figure: Eleanor Roosevelt — Tireless advocate for human rights and international cooperation, more interested in the Universal Declaration than the White House social calendar. Tufts students would rather draft the treaty than cut the ribbon.
As a movie or TV show: The West Wing — Idealistic, fast-talking wonks who believe good policy and moral clarity can change the world, constantly walking and talking about international crises. Every Tufts student has imagined themselves in the Situation Room
As a US president: John Quincy Adams — Diplomat first, politician second — fluent in six languages, believed in international law and institutions, and saw public service as a moral calling. Tufts kids are the ones who'd rather negotiate the treaty than campa
As a city: Geneva — International, multilingual, headquarters for global institutions and NGOs, expensive but earnest about making the world work better. Tufts is where you go if you want the UN internship, not the Wall Street bonus.
As an element: Oxygen — Essential for life, forms bonds with almost everything, and enables the reactions that sustain ecosystems. Tufts students see themselves as the connective tissue of global civil society — present everywhere, making thing
As a car: 2020 Subaru Outback Wilderness — Tufts is the quirky, internationally-minded overachiever that's equally comfortable in Boston's academic orbit or trekking to Talloires—practical, capable, and just off-beat enough to stand out from the Ivy crowd. Pre-pr

Campus life

Tufts has a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere with intellectually engaged students who are passionate about global issues and social justice. Greek life exists but is not dominant (about 15% participation), with most social life centered on clubs, cultural organizations, and house parties. Students are known for being collaborative rather than competitive, with easy access to Boston and Cambridge for cultural activities and internships.