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Northeastern University

Private

Boston, MA

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Northeastern University was founded in 1898 and is known for its cooperative education (co-op) model, which integrates full-time professional work experience into undergraduate study. The university has grown into a global system spanning multiple campuses, including locations in Boston, London, and Vancouver, supported by a network of thousands of employer partners tied to its experiential learning approach.

Admissions

Admit rate5%
SAT range1440–1540
ACT range33–35
Undergrads17,326
Yield (admits who enroll)41%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$84,641
4-year grad rate90%
Median earnings, 10yr out$92,538

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Northeastern University weighs your application

From Northeastern University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankConsidered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayConsidered
RecommendationsVery important
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workImportant
Work experienceImportant
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans27%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out79%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Architecture and Related Services
Architecture$74,540/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$90,612/yr
Biology, General$78,327/yr
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$74,617/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
International Business$125,162/yr
Business/Commerce, General$113,620/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$83,023/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$80,191/yr
Journalism$74,709/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$163,708/yr
Engineering
Computer Engineering$135,416/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$118,150/yr
Engineering, Other$112,019/yr
Industrial Engineering$111,430/yr
Chemical Engineering$107,767/yr
Mechanical Engineering$103,384/yr
Civil Engineering$100,613/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$67,877/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration$142,985/yr
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$91,003/yr
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$81,320/yr
Health and Medical Administrative Services$80,233/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice and Corrections$77,477/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$125,084/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$70,272/yr
Physical Sciences
Chemistry$88,364/yr
Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology$66,130/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Human Services, General$61,152/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$101,423/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$74,816/yr
Political Science and Government$73,539/yr
Sociology$69,585/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$87,336/yr
Music$60,974/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity11,278
Typical room charge$10,250
Typical board charge$8,180

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Northeastern University look for in applicants?

Per Northeastern University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA, standardized test scores, rigor of secondary school record, recommendations as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Northeastern University's acceptance rate?

Northeastern University in Boston, MA admits approximately 5% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Northeastern University?

Admitted students at Northeastern University typically score between 1440–1540 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Northeastern University?

Admitted students at Northeastern University typically score between 33–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Northeastern University cost?

Northeastern University's total cost of attendance is reported at $84,641 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Northeastern University?

Northeastern University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Northeastern University require students to live on campus?

No -- Northeastern University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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