Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 5.2%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 96,631
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 5,459
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 2,744
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 50%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 5.9%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 5.3%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 710–760
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 730–780
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 33–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 27% / 8%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $84,641
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $66,162
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $66,162
- Median debt at graduation
- $24,250
- Students with federal loans
- 27%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 91%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 97%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $74,155
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $92,538
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 17,326
- Graduate students
- 15,121
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 16 : 1
- Women
- 57%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 12%
- Full-time faculty
- 70%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Joseph E. Aoun
- Main phone
- (617) 373-2000
- Address
- 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115-5005
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | January 1 |
| Early Action | November 1 | February 15 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 1 | March 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 1 | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir
- Application fee
- $75 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 teacher (1-2 optional additional)
Testing: Test-optional; superscores SAT/ACT
Financial aid policies
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- ED I and ED II applicants get the $75 application fee waived
Early rounds & waitlist (2024-2025)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 43.0% (1,492 of 3,466)
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2024-2025: admissions.northeastern.edu, admissions.northeastern.edu, studentfinance.northeastern.edu, uds.northeastern.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.