Northeastern University
Private nonprofit four-year university in Boston, MA that costs an average of $17,850 a year after financial aid, admits 5.2% of applicants and graduates 91% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$17,850
Acceptance rate
5.2%
Graduation rate
91%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$99,371
Private nonprofitLarge city17,326 undergraduates
Cost of Northeastern University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $88,412 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $69,289 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $22,048 |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| Average net price after aid | $17,850 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $48,001–75,000 | $2,038 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $11,758 |
| $110,001+ | $35,152 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Northeastern University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,497 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 710–760 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 730–780 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 33–35 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 91% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 97% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $86,147 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $99,371 |
| Rank in Massachusetts (earnings) | 11th of 65 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $20,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $227 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 16% |
| Students with federal loans | 24% |
Majors and programs at Northeastern University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (77)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 1,191 | $124,222 | $19,500 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 46 | $121,048 | — |
| Computer Engineering | 257 | $110,872 | $21,617 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 171 | $99,899 | $19,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 176 | $96,270 | $21,000 |
| Mathematics | 185 | $94,730 | $20,715 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 475 | $87,504 | $22,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | 217 | $85,859 | $24,487 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 208 | $84,377 | $20,000 |
| Chemistry | 54 | $84,338 | — |
| Engineering, Other | 291 | $84,093 | $21,500 |
| Business/Commerce | 1,944 | $83,604 | $18,875 |
| Industrial Engineering | 146 | $82,701 | $23,750 |
| Civil Engineering | 180 | $79,302 | $19,500 |
| Economics | 366 | $78,831 | $20,849 |
| International Business | 178 | $76,290 | $18,258 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 87 | $61,815 | $19,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 179 | $60,938 | $17,817 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 88 | $59,562 | $20,500 |
| Political Science and Government | 263 | $55,843 | $20,875 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 246 | $55,226 | $23,245 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 145 | $54,192 | $19,500 |
| Physics | 48 | $53,093 | $25,500 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 265 | $49,000 | $20,250 |
| Music | 56 | $48,272 | $18,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 142 | $47,927 | $19,500 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 284 | $47,825 | $22,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 331 | $46,316 | $21,500 |
| Journalism | 87 | $45,499 | $18,750 |
| English Language and Literature | 40 | $44,153 | — |
| Biology | 267 | $43,476 | $19,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 142 | $41,941 | $17,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | $40,275 | $27,334 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 19 | $36,309 | — |
| American Sign Language | 12 | — | — |
| Anthropology | 1 | — | — |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 31 | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 73 | — | $30,750 |
| Architecture | 5 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 25 | — | — |
| Biotechnology | — | — | $18,167 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 13 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 41 | — | — |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 15 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | $24,074 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 6 | — | — |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | — | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 4 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 10 | — | — |
| History | 34 | — | — |
| Human Services | 28 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Landscape Architecture | 1 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 14 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 21 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | — | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | — | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 7 | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 125 | — | $21,908 |
| Philosophy | 17 | — | — |
| Psychology | — | — | — |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 2 | — | — |
| Public Health | 1 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 48 | — | $29,000 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | — | — |
| Social Sciences, Other | 3 | — | — |
| Sociology | 41 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 29 | — | — |
Certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (87)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 104 | $139,712 | $52,979 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 1,966 | $131,773 | $44,988 |
| Business/Commerce | 336 | $129,571 | $44,112 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 162 | $127,428 | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 345 | $124,342 | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 98 | $122,071 | $110,894 |
| Engineering | 626 | $116,350 | — |
| Biotechnology | 385 | $116,193 | $31,972 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 37 | $113,126 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 341 | $109,831 | $33,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 167 | $96,589 | — |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 146 | $91,279 | $41,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 149 | $90,182 | $35,875 |
| Chemical Engineering | 36 | $89,939 | — |
| Engineering, Other | 878 | $88,936 | $20,500 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 350 | $87,482 | $32,069 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | 82 | $87,464 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 168 | $86,876 | $41,000 |
| Civil Engineering | 101 | $84,714 | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | $70,489 | $40,133 |
| Public Health | 97 | $70,318 | $54,667 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 138 | $68,910 | $59,559 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 78 | $68,871 | $40,976 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 37 | $63,991 | — |
| Public Administration | 155 | $63,923 | $41,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 115 | $62,000 | $26,340 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 124 | $56,398 | $41,000 |
| Applied Mathematics | 388 | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 83 | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 9 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | — | — |
| Biology | 20 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 26 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | — | — | $38,918 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 25 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | 1,853 | — | — |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 51 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 41 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 56 | — | $60,822 |
| Economics | 107 | — | — |
| Education | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | $30,750 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 31 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Environmental Design | 5 | — | — |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 1 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | — | — |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 78 | — | — |
| History | 21 | — | — |
| Homeland Security | — | — | $41,000 |
| Human Computer Interaction | 34 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | — | — | $41,770 |
| Human Services | — | — | — |
| Industrial Engineering | 160 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | — | — | — |
| International Business | — | — | — |
| Journalism | 21 | — | — |
| Law | — | — | $28,049 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | — | — | $34,167 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 61 | — | — |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 3 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 8 | — | — |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | 138 | — | — |
| Music | — | — | — |
| Nutrition Sciences | — | — | — |
| Operations Research | 21 | — | — |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 24 | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 40 | — | $40,614 |
| Physics | 27 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 15 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 23 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 3 | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 10 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 9 | — | — |
| Sociology | 7 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 7 | — | $35,875 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | — | — | — |
| Systems Engineering | 89 | — | — |
| Systems Science and Theory | — | — | — |
| Taxation | 4 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 24 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 10 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (36)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 17 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering | 15 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 27 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 20 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 4 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 59 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | 40 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 7 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 12 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | — | — | — |
| Economics | 12 | — | — |
| Education | — | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 49 | — | — |
| Engineering | 5 | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | 35 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| History | 4 | — | — |
| Industrial Engineering | 22 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | — | — | — |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | 5 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 7 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 28 | — | — |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | 3 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 4 | — | — |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 7 | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 13 | — | — |
| Physics | 23 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 8 | — | — |
| Public Administration | 4 | — | — |
| Public Health | 7 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 2 | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 13 | — | — |
| Sociology | 9 | — | — |
| Systems Science and Theory | 6 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (10)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 64 | $257,670 | $172,213 |
| Education | — | $109,178 | $56,375 |
| Law | — | $90,605 | $113,294 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 172 | $80,262 | $66,665 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 149 | $78,649 | $36,500 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | — | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | — | — | $103,952 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 418 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (21)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Biotechnology | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 24 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | — | — | — |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | — | — | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | — | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Massachusetts
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | Boston | $36,503 | 11% | $89,087 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | $38,930 | 16% | $112,178 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge | $19,148 | 3.6% | $121,957 |
| Berklee College of Music | Boston | $47,587 | 44% | $43,451 |
| Tufts University | Medford | $38,797 | 11% | $89,187 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester | $43,885 | 60% | $113,513 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge | $14,815 | 4.5% | $152,553 |
| Bentley University | Waltham | $38,969 | 45% | $126,427 |
About Northeastern University
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Boston, MA |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 17,326 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 16 to 1 |
| Accreditor | New England Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | northeastern.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Northeastern University's acceptance rate?
Northeastern University admits 5.2% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,497 on the SAT.
How much does Northeastern University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $88,412 a year (tuition and fees: $69,289). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $17,850 a year.
How much do Northeastern University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $99,371 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 11th of 65 similar colleges in Massachusetts. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer and information sciences ($124,222 a year after graduation).
What is Northeastern University's graduation rate?
91% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 97% of first-year students return for a second year.