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Northeastern University

Northeastern University reports 17,326 undergraduates in Boston, MA. Its federal reporting group is labeled Northeastern University. International students are a visible presence at Northeastern University — 13.6% of its 17,326 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

Check the campus and reporting scope

Northeastern University · Boston, Massachusetts · Federal institution ID (UNITID): 167358.

Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Northeastern University).

Shared outcomes cannot rank campuses. Reporting-group definitions.

Compare Boston, MA with Oakland, CA. Other profile: Northeastern University Oakland · Oakland, CA (UNITID: 118888).

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$5,900

family income
under $30k

$6,383

$30–48k

$10,482

$48–75k

$20,109

$75–110k

$51,753

over $110k

Average net price

$30,9152023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Northeastern University has held near $30,915 from 2008 to 2023.

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$33,678
2009	$32,716
2010	$32,214
2011	$32,454
2012	$31,503
2013	$32,715
2014	$28,869
2015	$28,565
2016	$29,748
2017	$31,855
2018	$31,093
2019	$29,714
2020	$34,255
2021	$28,521
2022	$32,116
2023	$30,915

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$84,6412024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Northeastern University rose from $48,217 (2009) to $84,641 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$48,217
2010	$50,215
2011	$52,117
2012	$54,006
2013	$55,914
2014	$57,981
2015	$60,179
2016	$62,789
2017	$65,469
2018	$67,894
2019	$70,565
2020	$73,196
2021	$75,732
2022	$78,153
2023	$81,353
2024	$84,641

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$19,590
2001	$20,733
2002	$24,467
2003	$25,840
2004	$26,750
2005	$28,644
2006	$29,910
2007	$31,899
2008	$33,721
2013	$41,686
2014	$43,440
2015	$45,530
2016	$47,653
2017	$49,497
2018	$51,522
2019	$53,506
2020	$55,452
2021	$57,592
2022	$60,192
2023	$63,141

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Northeastern University reports published tuition of $66,162 in this record. Northeastern University's $66,162 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Northeastern University reports 17,326 undergraduates. This total does not establish class sizes for a particular subject.

90.5% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Northeastern University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

90.5%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Northeastern University rose from 41.7% (entered 1991) to 90.5% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	41.7%
1992 cohort	45.1%
1993 cohort	48%
1994 cohort	50.1%
1995 cohort	51.1%
1996 cohort	56.4%
1997 cohort	60.1%
1998 cohort	59.9%
1999 cohort	60.9%
2000 cohort	64.6%
2001 cohort	66.4%
2002 cohort	70%
2003 cohort	75.3%
2004 cohort	76.7%
2005 cohort	76.8%
2006 cohort	78.6%
2007 cohort	82.6%
2008 cohort	81.6%
2009 cohort	84.4%
2010 cohort	86.2%
2011 cohort	87.1%
2012 cohort	88.1%
2013 cohort	89.1%
2014 cohort	89.8%
2015 cohort	90.6%
2016 cohort	91.2%
2017 cohort	90.4%
2018 cohort	90.5%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Northeastern University).

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$20,000	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$20,000	$3,666
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$20,000	$3,740
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$19,697	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$19,125	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$19,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$17,875	$2,750
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$18,000	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$19,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$19,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$19,734	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$20,000	$5,255
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$21,875	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$23,329	$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$25,875	$11,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$26,976	$19,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$28,000	$21,501
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$28,375	$16,563
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$27,750	$14,698
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$27,000	$16,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$25,000	$14,845
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$24,855	$13,666
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$24,500	$12,666
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$24,250	$13,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$78,413

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$82,813

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$92,538

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years. Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Northeastern University).

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Northeastern University admitted 5,133 of 98,425 applicants in Fall 2024. The 5.2% rate describes that application pool.

5.2%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $63,141 tuition · 2023–24 17,326 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1440–15401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Northeastern University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Northeastern University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 710–760 and Math was 730–780 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1440–1540 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	710	730	760
SAT Math	730	760	780
ACT Composite	33	34	35

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Northeastern University received 98,425 applications and admitted 5,133 (5.2%), with 2,759 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

5.2%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Northeastern University's admission rate fell from 70.3% to 5.2%. The rate alone cannot explain the change. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	70.3%
Fall 2002	62.8%
Fall 2003	61.4%
Fall 2004	41.7%
Fall 2005	46.9%
Fall 2006	44.8%
Fall 2007	39.4%
Fall 2008	35.1%
Fall 2009	41%
Fall 2010	37.9%
Fall 2011	34.5%
Fall 2012	31.9%
Fall 2013	32.3%
Fall 2014	32.2%
Fall 2015	28.5%
Fall 2016	28.9%
Fall 2017	27.4%
Fall 2018	19.3%
Fall 2019	18.1%
Fall 2020	20.5%
Fall 2021	18.4%
Fall 2022	6.8%
Fall 2023	5.7%
Fall 2024	5.2%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1440–1540Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1020	1230
Fall 2002	1040	1240
Fall 2003	1060	1260
Fall 2004	1120	1300
Fall 2005	1140	1320
Fall 2006	1150	1330
Fall 2007	1170	1340
Fall 2008	1190	1350
Fall 2009	1200	1370
Fall 2010	1230	1390
Fall 2011	1250	1430
Fall 2012	1280	1460
Fall 2013	1300	1480
Fall 2014	1340	1500
Fall 2015	1340	1510
Fall 2016	1330	1510
Fall 2017	1370	1520
Fall 2018	1360	1540
Fall 2019	1390	1540
Fall 2020	1410	1540
Fall 2021	1430	1550
Fall 2022	1440	1550
Fall 2023	1460	1550
Fall 2024	1440	1540

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

33–35Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	21	26
Fall 2002	21	27
Fall 2003	22	27
Fall 2007	25	29
Fall 2008	26	30
Fall 2009	27	31
Fall 2010	28	31
Fall 2011	28	32
Fall 2012	29	32
Fall 2013	30	33
Fall 2014	31	33
Fall 2015	31	34
Fall 2016	31	34
Fall 2017	32	34
Fall 2018	32	34
Fall 2019	32	35
Fall 2020	33	35
Fall 2021	33	35
Fall 2022	33	35
Fall 2023	33	35
Fall 2024	33	35

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

17,326Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Northeastern University has wandered from Fall 2002 to Fall 2024 — up to 18,994 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 17,326.

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	18,994
Fall 2003	18,676
Fall 2004	18,571
Fall 2005	17,793
Fall 2006	18,001
Fall 2007	17,964
Fall 2008	18,069
Fall 2009	18,265
Fall 2010	18,579
Fall 2011	15,061
Fall 2012	15,239
Fall 2013	13,204
Fall 2014	13,492
Fall 2015	13,620
Fall 2016	13,345
Fall 2017	13,666
Fall 2018	13,760
Fall 2019	14,034
Fall 2020	15,130
Fall 2021	15,645
Fall 2022	16,172
Fall 2023	15,719
Fall 2024	17,326

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

97%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Northeastern University rose from 0% (Fall 2002) to 97% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	0%
Fall 2003 cohort	88%
Fall 2004 cohort	90%
Fall 2005 cohort	90%
Fall 2006 cohort	91%
Fall 2007 cohort	93%
Fall 2008 cohort	91%
Fall 2009 cohort	93%
Fall 2010 cohort	95%
Fall 2011 cohort	96%
Fall 2012 cohort	96%
Fall 2013 cohort	96%
Fall 2014 cohort	97%
Fall 2015 cohort	97%
Fall 2016 cohort	97%
Fall 2017 cohort	97%
Fall 2018 cohort	99%
Fall 2019 cohort	97%
Fall 2020 cohort	97%
Fall 2021 cohort	97%
Fall 2022 cohort	98%
Fall 2023 cohort	97%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Northeastern University

12.3% of Northeastern University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Northeastern University as a primarily residential campus of 17,326 undergraduates — and 96.9% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Northeastern University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1440–1540 — their midpoint is above the MA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Northeastern University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Northeastern University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Northeastern University5.2%

Massachusetts median70.3%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Northeastern University$66,162

Massachusetts median$46,700

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Northeastern University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Northeastern University).

Northeastern University reporting group (shared)$92,538

Massachusetts median$62,832

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Northeastern University, Massachusetts and national reference values
Metric & basis	Northeastern University	Massachusetts median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	5.2%	70.3%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$66,162	$46,700	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$92,538Shared group value	$62,832	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Northeastern University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Northeastern University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 34 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$163,708
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration	$142,985
Computer Engineering	$135,416
International Business	$125,162
Mathematics	$125,084
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$118,150
Business/Commerce, General	$113,620
Engineering, Other	$112,019
Industrial Engineering	$111,430
Chemical Engineering	$107,767
Mechanical Engineering	$103,384
Economics	$101,423
Civil Engineering	$100,613
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$91,003
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	$90,612
Chemistry	$88,364
Design and Applied Arts	$87,336
Finance and Financial Management Services	$83,023
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions	$81,320
Health and Medical Administrative Services	$80,233
Communication and Media Studies	$80,191
Biology, General	$78,327
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$77,477
International Relations and National Security Studies	$74,816
Journalism	$74,709
Neurobiology and Neurosciences	$74,617
Architecture	$74,540
Political Science and Government	$73,539
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$70,272
Sociology	$69,585
English Language and Literature, General	$67,877
Research and Experimental Psychology	$66,130
Human Services, General	$61,152
Music	$60,974

These 34 fields listed for Northeastern University measure earnings after completion. The $92,538 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 42 additional Northeastern University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules. Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Northeastern University).

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Northeastern University report?

Northeastern University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1440–1540 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Northeastern University's acceptance rate?

5.2% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 5,133 admitted from 98,425 applicants.

How much does Northeastern University cost?

At Northeastern University, tuition is $66,162. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Northeastern University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $92,538. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology — 4.5% admitted
Tufts University — 11.5% admitted
Wellesley College — 14% admitted
Williams College — 8.3% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.