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Colleges / Northeastern University

Northeastern University

Boston, MA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate7%

About Northeastern

Northeastern University is a private research institution known for its emphasis on experiential learning. The university’s signature cooperative education program offers courses and programs with opportunities to gain practical hands-on experience. These opportunities provide students with real-world skills and with a competitive edge when they enter their post-graduate careers. 

Northeastern is committed to global engagement. The university has an extensive network of campuses across the word including locations in the US, UK, and Canada and also has an impressive study abroad program. Northeastern’s cooperative education (co-op) system gives students the unique opportunity to alternate between periods of full-time work and studying to broaden their knowledge.

The campus experience is unique at Northeastern, spanning across several of Boston’s lively neighborhoods. The campus boasts a mix of contemporary and traditional architecture, several cutting edge labs, and dynamic study spaces across campus. The university neighbors several of the city’s iconic destinations including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Fenway Park.

Northeastern is an NCAA Division I school and a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. The most popular sport at Northeastern is hockey, with both the men’s and women’s teams having won several conference championships. Northeastern teams are known as the Huskies.

Did You Know? 

There is a system of underground tunnels beneath the Northeastern campus that connects several buildings. The tunnels provide a weather-safe way for students to travel between buildings during inclement weather including during the notoriously harsh New England winters. 

More on Northeastern from the CC Community

“It always seems that students are highly supportive of each other’s endeavors, activities, coops, etc. [. . .] many students do coop in Boston, stay and live on campus or in the area, and actually have more time to engage in other programming since they are not doing work outside of class.”

“My [son] started NU during the pandemic and was able to make wonderful friends in his dorm even without the usual parties. He and his friends play intramural sports and host parties. They have traveled to Europe for spring break, have done summer study abroad programs, and together visited a friend on co-op in CA. Co-op earnings have paid for trips. I think it’s best for students who embrace travel and flexibility and are self-motivated and independent.”

 

Northeastern University Overview

Northeastern University is a private, nonprofit school in an urban setting in Boston, Massachusetts. Northeastern was founded in 1898 and now enrolls around 27,602 students a year, including 19,004 undergrads. Northeastern offers housing for students. Most students live in off campus housing.

There are many ways for students to get involved at Northeastern! Love music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of Northeastern's theater groups.

Interested in journalism or communications? Northeastern students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Excited for Greek life? Northeastern has fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? Northeastern has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Northeastern on the Student Life page.

Learn more about life at Northeastern on the Student Life page.

Mark your calendar! The deadline to apply regular decision to Northeastern for Fall 2022 is January 1. Regular decision applicants for Fall 2022 should hear from Northeastern by April 1.

2021 Northeastern Facts At-A-Glance
Academic Calendar Semester
Overall Acceptance Rate 20%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate 38%
Early Action Acceptance Rate EA not offered
Applicants Submitting SAT scores 54%
Tuition $54,360
Percent of Need Met 84.3%
Average First-Year Financial Aid Package $43,986

Is Northeastern a Good School?

The definition of a "good school" is different for different people. Admissions difficulty and admitted student statistics can give you a sense of how selective a college is, but they don't say much about the quality of the education or the student experience. There are a few statistics that can give you a good idea of how satisfied students are and how well a school supports its students.

Let's take a look at all of these areas to get a better idea of what Northeastern offers and if it might be the right college for you.

Northeastern Acceptance Rate 2021

It is very difficult to get into Northeastern. The acceptance rate at Northeastern is 20%. Out of 64,459 applications received in 2021, 13,199 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Northeastern

Retention is the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Out of all the first-year, full-time undergrads who start at Northeastern, around 97% return for the next year. Northeastern's six-year graduation rate for undergrads is 90%. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outcomes for Northeastern Grads

Job placement statistics for recent graduates can give you a sense of the return on investment a school offers.

Check with Northeastern directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Northeastern

Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need. Northeastern meets 84.3% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Northeastern full-time are awarded $43,986 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2021 was around $33,570 per student, not including those with no debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2022-2023 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2021

Some financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so don't give your money (or info!) to any website that claim you do.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Northeastern. Based on this information, how does Northeastern sound? Remember, the best school for one person may be a terrible fit for another! So ask yourself: Is Northeastern a good school for you?

If Northeastern University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Searching for Colleges?

To learn more about Northeastern, choose from the options below:

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Student Life

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Northeastern Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top schools in the U.S.

Where is Northeastern?

Northeastern is located in the urban setting of Boston, Massachusetts, less than an hour from Boston.

If you want to see Northeastern for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Massachusetts Turnpike to Boston, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Logan International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Northeastern and Boston are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts?

See a full list of colleges in Massachusetts and save your favorites to your college list.

College Info

360 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 2115

Campus Setting: Urban

Northeastern Application Deadline

First-Year Applications are Due

Jan 1

Transfer Applications are Due

Apr 1

The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Northeastern is Jan 1.

The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Northeastern is Apr 1.

Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs

Northeastern University is a member of the Coalition for College.

More than an application, the Coalition provides free tools and resources to help students through the college admissions process, beginning as early as 9th grade.

Learn More

Northeastern SAT Scores

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Composite SAT Range

1450 - 1535

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Math SAT Range

740 - 790

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Reading SAT Range

700 - 760

Northeastern Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$78,632

In State

$78,632

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$59,100
$59,100
Fees
$1,092
$1,092
Housing
$18,440
$18,440
Books
Unknown
Unknown

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Student Life

Wondering what life at Northeastern is like? There are approximately 36,806 students enrolled at Northeastern, including 20,980 undergraduate students and 15,826 graduate students. 100% percent of students attend school full-time, 27% percent are from MA and 73% percent of students are from other states.

100%

Full Time

0.11%

Part Time

27%

In State

73%

Out-of-State

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

36,806

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

7%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$60,192

Out-of-State

$60,192

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 1
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