Boston, MA
Northeastern University is a private nonprofit university with an acceptance rate of 5.2% and undergraduate enrollment of 17,326. The institution has a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 6-year graduation rate of 90.5%. Cost of attendance is $88,542, with median earnings of $78,413 six years after enrollment and $92,538 ten years after enrollment.
Northeastern University is highly selective with a 5.2% acceptance rate. The private nonprofit institution enrolls 17,326 undergraduates with a 90.5% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 41,706 | 2,203 | 5.3% | 1,107 |
| Women | 54,914 | 3,251 | 5.9% | 1,637 |
Northeastern University admits 5.2% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northeastern University has a cost of attendance of $88,542 annually. The school enrolls 12.3% Pell grant recipients and maintains a substantial $1.7 billion endowment.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $257.
After aid, Northeastern University costs $30,915 a year — about 37% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northeastern University has a 90.5% six-year graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $78,413 six years after enrollment and $92,538 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 983 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 632 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 243 |
| Health and Medical Administrative... | 198 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 186 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 161 |
| Neuroscience | 156 |
| Engineering, Other | 134 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 126 |
| Computer Engineering, General | 124 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Northeastern University are $82,813, and 85% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Northeastern University students earn $78,413 — 72% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northeastern University is a private nonprofit institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 17,326 students and a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. It competes as an NCAA Division I program without football, generating $24 million in athletic revenue.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
534 of 15,719 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
46 of 15,891 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 1,262 of 15,268 graduate students.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
Northeastern University spends $12,832 per student on research — about 2× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northeastern University is in Boston, MA, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 3.6 miles from the center of Boston. There are 42 other colleges within 25 miles, and Boston, MA is 3.6 miles away.
Suffolk County scores 15.0 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 10.3% of Boston's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Northeastern University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Northeastern University reported 4 arrests and 190 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Northeastern University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Northeastern University has an acceptance rate of 5.2%, making it a highly selective institution. This competitive rate reflects strong demand from qualified applicants across the country.
The cost of attendance at Northeastern University is $88,542 per year. This comprehensive figure includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other educational expenses.
Northeastern provides need-based and merit-based financial aid. The university's strong endowment of $1.7 billion supports generous aid packages. Currently, 12.3% of undergraduates receive Pell grants.
Northeastern's 6-year graduation rate is 90.5%. For Pell grant recipients, the graduation rate is 89.7%, while non-Pell students graduate at a 91.9% rate.
Graduates earn a median of $78,413 six years after enrollment and $92,538 ten years after enrollment. These strong earnings reflect the value of a Northeastern degree across various industries.
Northeastern has an undergraduate enrollment of 17,326 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. This size offers a balance between research opportunities and personal attention from professors.
Women comprise 56.6% of the undergraduate population. First-generation students make up 18.5% of the student body, contributing to a diverse campus community.
Yes, Northeastern competes in NCAA Division I athletics without football. The university invests significantly in its athletic programs with annual athletic revenue of approximately $24 million.
Currently, 12.3% of Northeastern undergraduates receive Pell grants, indicating support for low-income and first-generation students pursuing higher education.
Northeastern is known for its cooperative education model, strong industry partnerships, and commitment to experiential learning. Its substantial endowment and Division I athletics without football reflect its unique institutional priorities.