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Northeastern

Northeastern University · Boston, Massachusetts · Private

5.2%acceptance rate
1450–1520SAT middle 50%
33–35ACT middle 50%
$34,770average net price

Northeastern admitted 5.2% of 98,425 applicants (Common Data Set 2024-2025). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1450–1520 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 90% of students graduate within six years.

Your chances at Northeastern

Enter a score to see whether Northeastern is a reach, target or likely school for you.

or
Reach

It admits 5.2% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.

A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.

Early decision and early action

Early decision applicants were admitted at 43% (1,492 of 3,466), compared with 5.2% for all applicants.

Northeastern offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.

Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.

What admissions weighs

How Northeastern rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA
  • Test scores
  • Recommendations

Important

  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character
  • Volunteering
  • Work experience

Considered

  • Class rank
  • Essay
  • First generation
  • Where you live
  • Showing interest

Not considered

  • Interview
  • Legacy
  • State residency
  • Religion

High school GPA

69% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.

  • 4.087%
  • 3.75–3.998%
  • 3.50–3.744%
  • 3.25–3.490.8%
  • 3.00–3.240.7%
  • 2.50–2.990.2%
  • 2.00–2.49–
  • Under 2.0–

Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.

What it costs

Full price with housing is $84,731 a year. After grants, students paid $34,770 on average.

Average price after grants, by family income:

  • $0–30k$5,900
  • $30–48k$6,383
  • $48–75k$10,482
  • $75–110k$20,109
  • $110k+$51,753

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