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Northeastern University

Northeastern University

Boston, MA · City · 17,326 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.northeastern.edu
$30,915
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
90%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$92,538
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
5%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in the heart of Boston, Northeastern University is internationally renowned for its pioneering cooperative education (co-op) program, which seamlessly integrates rigorous classroom academics with up to 18 months of full-time, paid professional experience worldwide. The university is particularly recognized for powerhouse programs in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, the College of Engineering, the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, and health sciences. Student life is defined by an ambitious, career-focused culture where undergraduates enjoy an active, traditional green campus situated directly between Boston's bustling Fenway and Back Bay neighborhoods. What truly sets Northeastern apart is this immersive, experiential learning model paired with an expanding global campus network that allows students to study and work across multiple continents before graduation.

Wikipedia:Northeastern University is a private research university with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded by the Boston Young Men's Christian Association in 1898 as an all-male institute before being incorporated as Northeastern College in 1916, gaining university status in 1922.

Location
Boston, MA, 02115-5005 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
4 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$66,162
Housing & food (on campus)$19,580
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$84,641
Average net price$30,915
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$66,162
Housing & food (on campus)$19,580
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$84,641
Average net price$30,915
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$2,264
$30–48k
$2,436
$48–75k
$5,301
$75–110k
$16,241
$110k+
$47,696
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$16,112
First-years who got one358
Source: Northeastern University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
90%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
0%
Back for yr 2
97%
Transferred
4%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
92% graduated · 4% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$78,413
10 yrs after entry$92,538
Debt
Median at graduation$24,250
Monthly payment$257
Middle 50% owe$14.5k–$31k
90th percentile$34,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
5%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1497
R 710–760 · M 730–780
ACT midpoint
34
Comp 33–35 · E 33–35 · M 30–35
SAT middle 50%: 1440–1540
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days · Early Decision I…
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Early Decision II
Jan 1 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 1 2027
in 91 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.northeastern.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Northeastern University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Northeastern University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Northeastern University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
12%
First-gen
19%
Family income
$80,224
Independent
17%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
40%
Hispanic
10%
Black
5%
Asian
22%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
14%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Co-ed
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$78,413
After 10 yrs
$92,538
Business/Commerce, General958
Computer and Information Sciences, General558
Mechanical Engineering231
Economics169
Engineering, Other157
Biology, General137
Communication and Media Studies132
Computer Engineering132
Health and Medical Administrative Services132
Chemical Engineering124
Neurobiology and Neurosciences124
Political Science and Government123
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing112
Research and Experimental Psychology101
Civil Engineering96
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering88
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.7B
Full-time faculty
70%
Faculty salary
$16,218/mo
Teaching spend
$21,813
per student
Federal loans
27%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$347M research spending · 251 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Northeastern University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search