Acceptance Rate
5%
Avg. SAT
1540
75th percentile
“Boston's co-op pioneer, where students spend half their college career in paid professional jobs.”
Boston, MA
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
Northeastern University traces its roots to 1898, when it began as an evening school run by the YMCA to educate Boston's working class. Today, it stands as a private research university with over 22,000 undergraduates, emphasizing experiential learning through its world-famous co-op program that places students in six-month paid internships. Ambitious go-getters who prioritize career launches over traditional campus immersion thrive here, drawn to the practical edge in a city buzzing with tech, biotech, and finance opportunities. The school's personality mixes urban grit with forward-thinking hustle, set across a fragmented campus spanning Fenway, Roxbury, and other Boston neighborhoods.
You'll navigate a dense, walkable urban environment rather than a contained quad, which means easy access to internships but also higher distractions from city life. Boston's high cost of living hits hard—expect rents and meals to add up quickly beyond tuition. Students who prefer small-town coziness or constant peer proximity might find the co-op rotations and spread-out facilities isolating at times.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Northeastern shines in experiential academics, especially through its co-op program that lets you alternate semesters of classes with full-time jobs at places like Google or Mass General, building resumes early. Strong programs in computer science, engineering, business, and health sciences feature hands-on projects and research labs, while a 16:1 student-faculty ratio supports smaller upper-level seminars amid larger intro lectures. Classrooms buzz with discussions tying theory to real jobs, fostering a culture of applied problem-solving over pure ivory-tower pursuits.
Popular majors like computer science and nursing prove competitive for entry after freshman year, and co-op scheduling demands careful planning to avoid graduation delays. Research opportunities abound for motivated undergrads, but the sheer size means you'll compete for spots in top labs.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
17,432 undergrad • 15,121 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
30%
Black / African American
4%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
Asian
14%
Other / Multi-racial
45%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Boston, MA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses with career energy—expect weeks split between classes, club meetings, and packing for co-op stints across the country or abroad, creating a transient vibe where deep friendships form selectively. Traditions like cheering the hockey team in the Beanpot tournament or Husky Hunt scavenger hunts add spirit, alongside over 500 clubs from robotics to urban farming. Housing guarantees spots for freshmen in dorms near Fenway Park, but upperclassmen often live off-campus in pricey apartments, blending student life with Boston's neighborhoods.
The social scene skews professional-networking over nonstop partying, with Greek life present but not dominant. Harsh winters and urban noise test resilience, yet proximity to Tatte Bakery or the Charles River offers weekend escapes. Co-ops mean fewer people around during work terms, so the campus feels quieter then.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Coastal Athletic Association
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$13,099
$30K – $48K
$12,743
$48K – $75K
$16,922
$75K – $110K
$25,113
$110K+
$46,702
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
97%
4 Years Graduation Rate
35%
6 Years Graduation Rate
90%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$92,538
97% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Northeastern University and return in the fall. 35% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 90% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
35%
4-5 years
55%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
9%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$59,100
Acceptance
5%
Undergrads
17,432
4-Year Grad Rate
35%
Endowment
$1.2B
Boston, MA 02115-5005
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