CAMPUS · BOSTON, MA · PRIVATE

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate

Northeastern University

5.7%

Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For Northeastern University, the gap is real: a $84,641 published sticker, but families actually pay about $14,788/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.

FIT

REACH

Northeastern University is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

5.7%

of 96,631 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$92,538

across all majors

Northeastern University at a Glance

39,566

Total Enrollment

$24,250

Median Debt

12.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Northeastern University

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	710	760	735
SAT Math	750	790	770
SAT Total	1460	1550	1505
ACT Composite	33	35	34

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	96,631
Students Admitted	5,459
Students Enrolled	2,744
Yield Rate	50.3%

Northeastern University Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#43	2025
QS World University Rankings	#362	2025

Northeastern University Admissions Overview

Northeastern University is a private university in Boston, MA with 39,566 students. With a 5.7% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Engineering, and Computer Science.

Full Name	Northeastern University
Location	Boston, MA 02115-5005
Type	Private
Website	northeastern.edu/
Total Enrollment	39,566
Undergrad Enrollment	22,528
Female Students	55.1%

Is Northeastern University a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 5.7%, Northeastern University is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	Northeastern University Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Northeastern University True Cost by Family Income

12% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Northeastern enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$2,264	$9,056
$30-48k	$2,436	$9,744
$48-75k	$5,301	$21,204
$75-110k	$16,241	$64,964
$110k+	$47,696	$190,784

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$18,790
Total Cost of Attendance	$84,641

Want to see how Northeastern University stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at Northeastern University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing

22.8%

Engineering

19.7%

Computer Science

14.3%

Biological Sciences

9.9%

Health Professions

7.9%

Best Majors at Northeastern University →

{sn} Student Demographics

White

43.3%

Black/African American

4.8%

Hispanic/Latino

10.6%

Asian

19.4%

International

14.0%

How to Get Into Northeastern University

Northeastern is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1505+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Northeastern wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1505

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

5.7%

Acceptance Rate

96,631

Total Applicants

What Northeastern University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Important
Volunteer Work	Important

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at Northeastern University by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

Northeastern University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Northeastern University EA/ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Action	Nov 1
Early Decision	Nov 1
Regular Decision	Jan 1
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Feb 15

Early Decision: Northeastern University offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if Northeastern University is your clear first choice.

See Northeastern University alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

12.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$24,250

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$78,413

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Northeastern University

What is Northeastern's acceptance rate?

Northeastern has an acceptance rate of 5.7%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Northeastern?

The middle 50% SAT range at Northeastern is 1460-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 33-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Northeastern?

The most popular majors at Northeastern by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (22.8%), Engineering (19.7%), Computer Science (14.3%), Biological Sciences (9.9%), Health Professions (7.9%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to Northeastern?

Northeastern accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.