Brown vs Tufts for research opportunities: which school offers more access for undergraduates?

Brown has the edge for undergraduate research access. It combines a major research university structure with a strong undergraduate focus, and programs like the Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards make it easier for students to get funded research roles directly with faculty. Brown also has a long-standing culture of independent study and student-designed academic work, which tends to translate into earlier research involvement.

Another difference is how research fits into the undergraduate experience. Brown is known for giving undergrads unusual academic flexibility through the Open Curriculum, and that often helps students start specialized work sooner instead of spending as much time on rigid distribution requirements.

Tufts absolutely offers real undergraduate research and, in some departments, can feel more personal because of its smaller size and undergraduate-centered environment. But Brown tends to provide more total research pathways, and broader access to high-level faculty projects, especially if you want strong options across multiple fields or expect research to be a central part of college.