Hi everyone, I recently got into both Tufts and Northeastern and I’m having trouble deciding between the two. My intended major is CS, but I’m also very interested in the humanities (especially english and international relations). My main issue is that Northeastern is more affordable, but I feel like Tufts is a better fit personally for me. I’m not planning on going to grad school after undergrad, but things could change. Here are my general thoughts about each school:
Northeastern:
- Still expensive, but much cheaper, and I wouldn’t have to take out any loans. Definitely its biggest pro for me.
- Co-op: I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. I get that it can be very helpful for securing a job right after graduation, but it feels like the only people I would get to interact with are other CS majors (I have a friend who is a first year there right now who recently told me this) and a less tight-knit community than Tufts.
- i visited it both before and after I was admitted, and while I like it enough, I don’t love it.
- Study abroad, which I 100% want to do, seems more accessible here.
Tufts:
- More expensive, I would have to take out loans. Not sure how much yet, probably around 6-10k. My financial situation will definitely change by my junior year of college though b/c one of my parents will be retiring, so it’s likely that my aid will increase significantly by then and I will not have to take loans. Will definitely appeal for more aid though.
- Smaller than NU, which I prefer. It also seems like it has a closer community/easier to find friends which is something I’m worried about since I’m pretty introverted.
- Big fan of the liberal arts emphasis, as opposed to the preprofessional vibe at NU. Also better for humanities.
- I’ve heard mixed things about the CS department - I know one of their top professors actually went to NU, and while i hear they have some really good professors, they seem to be less well-known for CS then NU.
- Visited last summer, and it was by far one of my favorite tours and I could definitely see myself as a student there. Will visit for Jumbo Days soon to learn more.
Would really appreciate any input on this decision. 
It sounds like the fit difference is big here - for only 6-10K in loans (assuming total), that’s well worth it even if your parents don’t retire. A CS major will pay that level of loans off in a single year. Northeastern would be the better choice strictly speaking for CS alone, but Tufts is a fine choice for it and it seems you will be much happier there. All this is coming from a Northeastern CS student who loves the program here. Co-op is a big part of the community here and while you absolutely can interact with people outside of CS (co-op doesn’t dictate this), that’s not going to solve the fit difference. Tufts still too has study abroad you can take advantage of.
I say this as the mother of a Northeastern grad, a grad who loved NEU: really try to go to Tufts.
Northeastern is ALL about co-op. It’s very pre-professional in nature, and its humanities programs are weaker than Tufts.
Fit is important, and it sounds like you’re much, much more a Tufts type than a Northeastern type. There is nothing wrong with that! If your family can afford Tufts without too much sacrifice, it’s really the place you should go.
Congratulations on your acceptances!
Hi @citylights11. After sifting through acceptances, finances and fit this time last year, my son was choosing between Northeastern Honors and Tufts. We flew out in April for a self-conducted visit to NE (third time visiting) and Jumbo Days.
He arranged a visit to a class (I highly recommend this!) and a meeting with a professor in his field at NE. We also had coffee with a professor we know there. As impressive as NE was (and we would’ve been happy enough had he chosen it), the ride to Medford was quiet. In hindsight, he felt that it was too bustling and impersonal. He felt like everyone knew what they were doing (of course not everyone does) and that he hadn’t a clue.
We got to Tufts (second visit, the first really making a stellar impression) and within 10 minutes of meeting students, he knew. All smiles. It seemed – and is – collegial and friendly.
I strongly urge, if possible, a final comparative walkabout and go with your gut. Ambience matters.
Only a year later can he speak to the issue of co-op. He says kids at Tufts have a lot of respect for Northeastern and impressive Northeastern students. Successful Northeastern students truly have that individual initiative. My son says that, retrospectively, he sort of knew he wanted to hang out with friends and experience college qua college without the pressure of knowing – or pretending to know – what he wanted to do at 17.
There are a lot of introverts at Tufts, btw. I think it is a comfortable place for introverted students.
Study abroad is easy at both places.
Fit is important. If you can, pull back and see which place registers with you instinctually.
Good luck. Congratulations on your acceptances. Either way, you are in good hands.