How can I compare whether MIT or Tufts would be more affordable for my family?

The most realistic comparison is to run MIT’s and Tufts’ official Net Price Calculators using the same current tax return, income, savings, home-equity, and sibling-college information. Compare each calculator’s estimated net price, meaning tuition, housing, food, fees, books, travel, and expected family contribution after grant aid, rather than comparing published sticker prices.

MIT may be especially affordable for a family with demonstrated financial need.

Tufts also states that it meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students, but its calculated need and aid package can differ from MIT’s because each college uses its own institutional formula. Look closely at whether the Tufts estimate includes any student loan, work-study expectation, or unmet costs such as health insurance, personal expenses, and travel. A package that looks similar on tuition alone can cost more once those items are included.

Use the calculators before applying, then save the results and compare the estimated out-of-pocket amount for all four years. Re-run them if family income changes substantially. Both schools typically require detailed financial-aid materials, including the CSS Profile and tax information, so the estimates will be most useful when the information entered is complete and consistent.

For a final decision, compare the actual first-year aid offers side by side: total grants and scholarships, loans, work expectations, billed costs, and the amount your family would need to pay or borrow. If the estimates are close, ask each financial-aid office how they handle a meaningful circumstance the calculator may not capture, such as medical expenses, reduced income, self-employment income, or support for extended family.