Overview of Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a private research institution is situated in the Back Bay and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston, Massachusetts. Undergraduates can select from more than 90 majors and concentrations within the institution’s eight colleges. Northeastern’s curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, and the school has a strong internship and co-op program. The Northeastern University Honors Program invites high achieving applicants to join the program each year. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the Northeastern Huskies play in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 21,627 (13,909 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 48 percent male/52 percent female
• 100 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $53,506
• Books: $1,000
• Room and Board: $16,930
• Other Expenses: $1,800
• Total Cost: $73,236

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 77 percent
•  Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 73 percent
  • Loans: 43 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $28,199
  • Loans: $5,918

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 97 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 88 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Northeastern University Admissions

Northeastern University has a competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Northeastern had an acceptance rate of 19%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 19 students gained admission, making Northeastern’s admissions process highly competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 39% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Northeastern’s students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Northeastern scored between 670 and 750 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 670 and 25% scored over 750. 50% of students scored between 690 and 790 on the math part, while 25% scored under 690, and 25% scored over 790. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1540 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Northeastern University.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 45% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most Northeastern students score within the top 3% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Northeastern University received a cumulative ACT score between 32 and 34, while 25% scored over 34, and 25% scored under 32.

GPA

In 2019, the median 50% of Northeastern University’s class had high school GPAs between 4.1 and 4.5. 25% had a GPA of over 4.5, and 25% had a GPA under 4.1. Successful applicants to Northeastern have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Northeastern University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Northeastern University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Boston College, Villanova University, Binghamton University, University of California, Santa Barbara, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, University of Texas at Dallas, University of California, Irvine

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Northeastern University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Cornell University, Tufts University, Duke University, Georgetown University, Emory University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Northeastern University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

University of Chicago, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University

Applying to Northeastern University

Application Deadline: January 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/application-information/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/admissions-information/how-to-apply/the-process/