Northeastern University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $74,200 within 10 years; exceptional 91% graduation rate.
About This School
Northeastern University is a private nonprofit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts with approximately 17,326 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 5%. The average net price after financial aid is $30,915 per year. The graduation rate is 91%, and the typical graduate earns $74,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
This is a strong option for students who want real-world experience built into their degree — Northeastern's co-op program sends undergrads into paid professional roles before they graduate, and the outcomes back it up: median earnings of $74,200 a decade out with only $22,000 in median debt is a genuinely healthy return. The 98% freshman retention and 90% graduation rate signal that students who get in tend to thrive and finish. The main caveat is selectivity — at 6% acceptance, this is a reach for most applicants, so treat it as an aspirational target rather than a safety.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (17,326 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Northeastern University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Boston, MA · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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