Campus Report

Tufts Marriage Pact · 2024 ·

The time has come, Tufts.

We thought we’d share a bit about Tufts’s romantic playing field——just so you know what you’re up against.

Our analysis is built upon anonymized and aggregated data from the Tufts Marriage Pact. It will never be sold or shared for commercial purposes. You can read more about our principles and practices here.

The more the major

Your major, your concentration, your greatest disappointment to your parents. And our favorite way to slice and dice the campus. Sit back and enjoy judging all the majors that aren’t your own.

History majors would rather fail a test than cheat

And for that, we salute them. Here’s how different majors answered the question: “I would rather fail an exam than cheat on it”

	Strongly disagree Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
History	0.06	0.21	0.12	0.12	0.15	0.27	0.06	x̄=4.15	n=33
Child Study and Human Development	0.08	0.14	0.20	0.22	0.16	0.16	0.04	x̄=3.88	n=50
Mathematics	0.06	0.21	0.24	0.15	0.15	0.09	0.09	x̄=3.76	n=33
International Relations	0.10	0.22	0.25	0.09	0.17	0.11	0.06	x̄=3.59	n=204
Computer Science	0.12	0.24	0.28	0.08	0.09	0.13	0.07	x̄=3.42	n=206
Biology	0.17	0.26	0.19	0.11	0.10	0.10	0.07	x̄=3.30	n=219
Political Science	0.11	0.24	0.26	0.18	0.11	0.04	0.05	x̄=3.29	n=91
Biopsychology	0.12	0.27	0.26	0.21	0.08	0.05	0.02	x̄=3.08	n=121
Psychology	0.19	0.26	0.25	0.08	0.11	0.08	0.02	x̄=2.99	n=95
Economics	0.18	0.31	0.31	0.07	0.05	0.06	0.01	x̄=2.74	n=160

Biology majors are running for the hills

What’s going on in there? Someone check in on them. Everyone else, read up on what your sane friends are up to.

Mathematics majors might be open to being open

We asked if you were open to nonmonogamous relationships—here’s what you said, by major.

	1 – no way the more the merrier – 7
Biomedical Engineering	1.30	n=33
Biopsychology	1.32	n=121
International Relations	1.43	n=204
Biology	1.44	n=219
Computer Science	1.66	n=206
Sociology	1.91	n=34
Mathematics	2.09	n=33

Topics to avoid

at the dinner table

In other words: politics, money, and religion. But really——who are we without them?

Take a look below to gather fodder for your next divisive discussion.

There’s gold in them there hills

Here’s how you answered the question “I can find it within myself to love someone if they’re rich enough.”

	Strongly disagree Strongly agree
Biomedical Engineering	2.18	n=33
Mathematics	2.30	n=33
International Relations	2.70	n=204
Computer Science	2.75	n=206
Biology	3.19	n=219
Art	3.28	n=71
Biochemistry	3.43	n=86

Muslim students want religious kids

Something to know if you fall in love with them. Here’s how each religion answered: ”It’s important my kids be raised religious.”

	Strongly disagree Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Muslim	0.03	0.09	0.12	0.21	0.24	0.09	0.21	x̄=4.67	n=33
Christian	0.08	0.12	0.13	0.24	0.24	0.12	0.09	x̄=4.13	n=217
Protestant	0.09	0.15	0.12	0.29	0.14	0.09	0.12	x̄=3.99	n=91
Jewish	0.11	0.17	0.14	0.23	0.20	0.10	0.05	x̄=3.74	n=394
Catholic	0.10	0.16	0.18	0.26	0.16	0.08	0.06	x̄=3.69	n=245
Hindu	0.08	0.20	0.24	0.28	0.15	0.01	0.03	x̄=3.39	n=88
Buddhist	0.21	0.18	0.26	0.21	0.09	0.03	0.03	x̄=3.00	n=34
Spiritual	0.42	0.29	0.15	0.11	0.02	0.00	0.00	x̄=2.01	n=201
Agnostic	0.57	0.28	0.08	0.07	0.01	0.00	0.00	x̄=1.67	n=614
Atheist	0.69	0.22	0.05	0.04	0.00	0.00	0.00	x̄=1.45	n=416

66% of socialists wouldn’t date a Republican

Breaking down the biggest political beefs: Each box indicates the percentage of the political identity listed to the left who reported they don’t want their partner to have the political identity listed above.

	Socialist	Liberal	Democrat	Apolitical	Independent	Conservative	Republican
Socialist	0.02	0.07	0.04	0.38	0.18	0.66	0.66
Liberal	0.06	0.03	0.03	0.17	0.04	0.42	0.48
Democrat	0.06	0.03	0.05	0.14	0.04	0.33	0.45
Apolitical	0.03	0.03	0.02	0.01	0.01	0.06	0.08
Independent	0.03	0.02	0.02	0.03	0.01	0.08	0.11
Conservative	0.06	0.08	0.00	0.02	0.02	0.04	0.02
Republican	0.17	0.11	0.14	0.03	0.03	0.00	0.00

Big year for politics

Juniors are the most conservative

...and also the most polarized by gender.

Here’s the political ideology of students on campus by class year and gender (measured as % liberal minus % conservative).

	More liberal More conservative
Freshman MAN	-0.60	n=351
Freshman WOMAN	-0.81	n=615
Sophomore MAN	-0.65	n=206
Sophomore WOMAN	-0.75	n=324
Junior MAN	-0.57	n=189
Junior WOMAN	-0.82	n=263
Senior MAN	-0.69	n=191
Senior WOMAN	-0.85	n=251

Socialists claim they always vote

Here’s how we hit the polls. Allegedly.

	Never Even in local elections
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Socialist	0.02	0.02	0.03	0.09	0.14	0.29	0.42	x̄=5.85	n=122
Democrat	0.01	0.02	0.05	0.15	0.24	0.21	0.32	x̄=5.48	n=1424
Liberal	0.04	0.05	0.09	0.17	0.24	0.18	0.23	x̄=4.96	n=344
Independent	0.06	0.11	0.15	0.22	0.23	0.12	0.12	x̄=4.27	n=274
Conservative	0.15	0.06	0.06	0.38	0.13	0.10	0.13	x̄=4.08	n=48
Apolitical	0.16	0.13	0.20	0.27	0.17	0.02	0.05	x̄=3.44	n=95

Home is where the heart is

Some of us moved here from a long way away. Does absence make the heart grow fonder? Here’s how we answered “I take pride in where I’m from.”

	Strongly disagree Strongly agree
Socialist	5.18	n=122
Democrat	5.53	n=1424
Independent	5.55	n=274
Liberal	5.60	n=344
Other	5.79	n=112
Republican	5.81	n=36

Women vs Men

Ladies and gentlemen——we know you’re curious. We’re here to give you the data on the age-old question: How different are men and women, really?

These analyses focus on respondents that identified as men and women. We support nonbinary students at Tufts absolutely, and due to the limited size of our sample we can’t share their insights without compromising their anonymity and safety. If you have questions about this, or ideas about how we can do this better, send us a note at inclusion@marriagepact.com.

Gender and orientation at Tufts

About 1 in 3 women at Tufts identifies as non-heterosexual.

Of those, 64% identify as bisexual, 18% identify as homosexual, 10% identify as pansexual, and 4% identify as asexual.

About 1 in 4 men at Tufts identifies as non-heterosexual.

Of those, 62% identify as homosexual and 32% identify as bisexual.

Points of disagreement

Presenting the questions the women and men of Tufts were most misaligned on. If you’re in the mood to pick a fight, have fun.

Q: “I want to be worshiped by my partner”

13%

24%

20%

16%

men

Strongly disagree

Strongly agree

12%

20%

31%

17%

women

Q: “I generally like to take control during sex”

12%

32%

26%

13%

men

I'd rather not 🥺

Give me the reins 😈

23%

29%

women

Q: “I would end a friendship over differing political views”

35%

26%

16%

10%

men

Nope

Yes, they're blocked

11%

20%

22%

18%

women

Q: “I find politically incorrect humor funny”

14%

28%

24%

21%

men

Strongly disagree

Strongly agree

11%

17%

23%

24%

12%

women

Let’s Talk

About Sex

This year, we’re going out with a bang. Here’s a look at what Tufts students are getting up to in the bedroom.

Freshmen are ready to settle down

Meanwhile, seniors like to keep things casual.

Here’s how each year stacks up on sociosexuality (in other words, openness to hooking up without commitment).

	commitment casual sex
Freshman	0.15	n=984
Sophomore	0.17	n=542
Junior	0.24	n=464
Senior	0.31	n=465

Bringing politics into the bedroom

...is always a good idea! Here’s how students with different political identities answered the question “I generally like to take control during sex.”

	I’d rather not 🥺 Give me the reins 😈
Democrat	3.57	n=1424
Liberal	3.64	n=344
Socialist	3.66	n=122
Apolitical	3.71	n=95
Republican	3.78	n=36
Independent	3.80	n=274
Conservative	4.63	n=48

What’s the easiest major?

No, not that kind of easy. Here’s how the different majors at Tufts answered the question “How long do you think it’s appropriate to wait before sex?”

	Zero wait Until marriage
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Sociology	0.15	0.38	0.26	0.12	0.03	0.06	0.00	x̄=2.68	n=34
History	0.03	0.33	0.45	0.18	0.00	0.00	0.00	x̄=2.79	n=33
English	0.09	0.31	0.37	0.11	0.06	0.03	0.03	x̄=2.94	n=35
International Relations	0.06	0.25	0.35	0.21	0.10	0.02	0.00	x̄=3.10	n=204
Economics	0.06	0.16	0.42	0.24	0.07	0.02	0.01	x̄=3.21	n=160
Computer Science	0.06	0.19	0.35	0.25	0.09	0.04	0.02	x̄=3.34	n=206
Biology	0.03	0.21	0.27	0.30	0.14	0.01	0.04	x̄=3.49	n=219
Cognitive and Brain Sciences	0.00	0.22	0.32	0.26	0.10	0.07	0.01	x̄=3.53	n=68
Biomedical Sciences	0.03	0.11	0.35	0.27	0.19	0.05	0.00	x̄=3.65	n=37
Child Study and Human Development	0.02	0.14	0.32	0.28	0.16	0.08	0.00	x̄=3.66	n=50

We asked: How single are you?

Here’s how each class year responded. If only there were an algorithm to make this easier...

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