Northeastern University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Boston, Massachusetts · Private nonprofit · Most selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Northeastern University is a private nonprofit university in Boston, Massachusetts that admits about 5% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $30,915 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Mechanical Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 91% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Northeastern University is a private institution located in Boston, Massachusetts and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Northeastern University admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 5%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1490 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $30,915 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Northeastern University?
87% of enrolled students at Northeastern University had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Northeastern University weight in admissions?
Northeastern University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores Northeastern University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 730–780, with an EBRW midpoint near 730. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1450 |
| 50th percentile | 1490 |
| 75th percentile | 1520 |
| % submitting SAT | % |
| 25th percentile | 33 |
| 50th percentile | 34 |
| 75th percentile | 35 |
| % submitting ACT | % |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 68.8% |
| Top 25% of class | 94% |
| Top 50% of class | 99.8% |
| % submitting class rank | 21.9% |
How much does Northeastern University actually cost?
Published tuition is $66,162 for in-state students and $66,162 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,580 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $30,915 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 12% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $67,990 |
| Room and board | $22,048 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $30,915 |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Northeastern University
| Notification date | 1-Apr |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 1 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 43% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Northeastern University?
These predict outcomes at Northeastern University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Northeastern University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Northeastern University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Mechanical Engineering. Across all programs, Northeastern University confers roughly 2,474 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $110,708 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 957 | $110,708 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 483 | $149,127 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 275 | $104,723 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 163 | $76,223 |
| Engineering, Other | 162 | — |
| Economics | 160 | $98,280 |
| Political Science and Government | 139 | $77,836 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 135 | $77,774 |
Is Northeastern University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Northeastern University disclosed 41 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 13 violent offenses and 14 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Northeastern University?
About 57% of undergraduates at Northeastern University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 6% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
Next steps for Northeastern University
Common questions parents ask about Northeastern University
What GPA do I need for Northeastern University?
87% of enrolled students at Northeastern University had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Northeastern University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 730–780, with an EBRW midpoint near 730. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35.
How much does Northeastern University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Northeastern University after grants and scholarships is $30,915 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $66,162. Budget against the net figure.
Is Northeastern University realistic for my child?
Northeastern University admits 5% of applicants, so 730–780 SAT Math is target range and below 730 is a reach. Then check the $30,915 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Northeastern University?
Northeastern University accepts about 5% of applicants out of roughly 98,425 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is Northeastern University test-optional?
Yes. Northeastern University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Northeastern University?
About 91% of students at Northeastern University graduate within six years. 97% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Northeastern University?
Northeastern University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 43%, compared with its overall rate of 5%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Northeastern University look for in applicants?
Northeastern University rates course rigor, GPA, test scores and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Northeastern University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Northeastern University is a private nonprofit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at Northeastern University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Northeastern University by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Mechanical Engineering. The school awards about 2,474 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Northeastern University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Northeastern University reported 41 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Northeastern University?
At Northeastern University, 57% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 6% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Northeastern University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers