Northeastern University
Boston's co-op university, where 93% of graduates alternated study with professional work placements.
- Acceptance rate
- 5.6%
- First-years who entered in fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 38,403
- 22,456 undergraduates
- Student–faculty
- 15:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $71,050
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1898
About Northeastern
Northeastern University was founded in Boston in 1898 as an evening institute and today is a private research university with its main campus along Huntington and Columbus Avenues near the Fenway-Kenmore and Roxbury neighbourhoods. In fall 2025 it enrolled 38,403 students, 22,456 of them undergraduates (Common Data Set), and it has expanded into a global network with campuses in Oakland, London and New York City (after merging with Marymount Manhattan College) and sites in cities including Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver.
Northeastern is built around cooperative education: 93% of the 2024-25 graduating class took part in co-op, alternating periods of academic study with (typically paid) professional employment related to their major. Its colleges include the College of Engineering, the College of Science, the Khoury College of Computer Sciences (founded in 1982 as the first dedicated computer science college in the US), the College of Arts, Media and Design, the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and the D'Amore-McKim School of Business.
Admission is highly selective: Northeastern accepted 5,920 of 105,256 first-year applicants for fall 2025 (5.62%), and many applicants are offered alternative starts such as the N.U.in programme abroad, London, New York City or Oakland. It suits career-focused students who want real work experience before graduating, a city campus and the option to start their degree outside Boston.
Lux, Veritas, Virtus
“Light, Truth, Courage” — university motto
Why students choose Northeastern
Co-op is central: 93% of the 2024-25 graduating class completed co-op, and Northeastern reports 97% of graduates working full time or in graduate school within nine months (10-year average).
You can start your first year in Boston, Oakland, London, New York City or abroad through the N.U.in Program, then continue in Boston.
The Khoury College of Computer Sciences was the first dedicated computer science college in the United States.
All complete applications by January 1 are considered for merit scholarships and the John Martinson Honors Program, with or without test scores.
Admissions
First-years who entered in fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
About 1 in 18 applicants is admitted
5,920 admitted from 105,256 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Early Decision is far more generous: 1,910 of 5,404 ED applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (about 35%), roughly a third of all offers. 735 of 18,754 international applicants were admitted, and 2,736 first-years enrolled. Admission offers may be for Boston, Oakland, London Scholars, New York City Scholars or the N.U.in Program, depending on your stated preferences.
Typical entry requirements
| International examinations | Northeastern highly recommends sending final or predicted results from exams such as the IB, A-levels, Cambridge Pre-U, French Baccalaureate, CAPE, HKDSE, SPM, WASSCE or Indian Standard XII; offers can be rescinded if final results fall well short of predictions |
|---|---|
| English language | IELTS 7.5 · TOEFL iBT 102 No minimums; middle 50% of admitted students: TOEFL iBT 102-110 (tests to 20 January 2026) or 5.0-5.5 (from 21 January 2026), IELTS Academic 7.5-8.0, Duolingo 130-140, PTE Academic 79-86, Cambridge C1/C2 195-202. Waivers possible after four consecutive years of English-medium schooling. |
Deadlines
- Early Decision I Binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Binding for your top-choice enrollment opportunity. Decisions by January 1. FAFSA/CSS Profile due November 15.
- Early Action Non-binding In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Non-binding. Decisions by February 15. FAFSA/CSS Profile due December 1.
- Early Decision II Binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 1, 2027
Binding. Decisions by March 1. FAFSA/CSS Profile due January 15.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 1, 2027
Non-binding. Decisions by April 1. Also the last date to be considered for merit scholarships. FAFSA/CSS Profile due February 15.
Northeastern's Deadlines and Decisions page lists November 1 and January 1 without a year; for fall 2027 entry these fall on November 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027. ED applicants admitted to a programme that was not their first choice receive a non-binding decision.
How to apply
Common App or Coalition Application; $75 fee; Northeastern-specific questions including your enrollment-programme preferences; one teacher and one school counselor recommendation (1-2 extra optional); transcripts; optional SAT/ACT; English test for non-native speakers; Declaration and Certification of Finances for non-US citizens; optional portfolio for the College of Arts, Media and Design and auditions for Performing Arts in New York City.
What admissions looks for
- A strong academic record in the context of your school, supported by recommendations from a teacher and your counselor.
- Fit with Northeastern's experiential model and the enrollment programmes you select, since you state preferences for Boston, global and campus-specific options in the application.
- For international applicants, strong external exam results or predictions and demonstrated English proficiency.
- Creative or artistic work where relevant, via the CAMD portfolio or Performing Arts auditions.
Tips for applying to Northeastern
- 1 Think hard about Early Decision: about 35% of ED applicants were admitted for fall 2025, against 5.6% overall, but a binding admit to your top-choice programme commits you.
- 2 Be open to alternative starts: selecting 'open to all opportunities' or programmes like N.U.in, London or Oakland can widen your path to a Northeastern degree.
- 3 Submit by January 1 at the latest; that is the cut-off for merit scholarship and Honors Program consideration.
- 4 International applicants must include the Declaration and Certification of Finances, and need-based aid is only available to US citizens and permanent residents.
- 5 Only submit test scores if they help: Northeastern is test-optional and superscores, and fall 2025 enrollees who submitted SAT scores had a middle-50% range of 1440-1510.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Northeastern University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Northeastern meets the full demonstrated need of each admitted student eligible for federal financial aid, and its need-based grants rise each year at the same rate as tuition. Need-based aid requires US citizenship or permanent residency plus the FAFSA and CSS Profile. All first-year applicants who apply by January 1 are considered for merit scholarships, and National Merit Finalists and National Recognition Program Scholars receive Northeastern National Scholarships.
- $98,322 including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, personal and transport
- Estimated 2026-27 cost of attendance (Boston, NYC, Oakland)
- $93,200 direct costs ($70,224 tuition plus $22,976 programme fee)
- London Scholars or NYC Scholars first year
- Full demonstrated need met for admitted students eligible for federal aid; US citizens and permanent residents only
- Need-based aid
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Cooperative education (co-op)
93% of the 2024-25 graduating class took part, alternating periods of study with typically paid professional jobs related to their major.
Khoury College of Computer Sciences
Founded in 1982 as the first dedicated computer science college in the United States.
College of Engineering
Rooted in the Cooperative School of Engineering, which began granting degrees in civil, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering in 1920.
N.U.in Program
First-year students spend their first fall semester at a global partner institution before moving to Boston in the spring.
John Martinson Honors Program
Reimagined in 2024 with a $5 million gift from venture capitalist John Martinson; all complete applications are considered.
Research
- Northeastern faculty and students have filed 2,042 patent applications since 2006.
- Northeastern runs a global network of campuses including Oakland (the former Mills College) and a New York City campus formed through its 2026 merger with Marymount Manhattan College.
- Northeastern's historic $1.75 billion fundraising campaign is under way.
Schools & faculties
- College of Engineering
- College of Science
- Khoury College of Computer Sciences
- College of Arts, Media and Design
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences
- D'Amore-McKim School of Business
- School of Law
- College of Professional Studies
Northeastern reports that 97% of graduates are working full time or enrolled in graduate school within nine months (10-year average). College Scorecard: median earnings of $92,538 ten years after entry (and $78,413 six years after entry) for federally aided students.
Student life
Northeastern's Boston campus sits in the middle of the city along Huntington Avenue, with the MBTA Orange Line and Green Line E branch passing through campus. The Huskies compete in NCAA Division I in the Coastal Athletic Association and in Hockey East, and the Beanpot hockey tournament against Boston's other big hockey schools is a highlight of winter. Traditions include Husky Hunt, a 24-hour city-wide scavenger hunt run by the Resident Student Association.
- Northeastern Huskies: NCAA Division I, Coastal Athletic Association (18 varsity sports) and Hockey East.
- The Beanpot, Boston's annual college hockey tournament.
- Husky Hunt, a 24-hour scavenger hunt across Greater Boston.
- An alumni network of nearly 400,000 people around the world.
Location
Northeastern's main campus is in central Boston along Huntington and Columbus Avenues, near the Fenway-Kenmore and Roxbury neighbourhoods, served by Ruggles (Orange Line) and Northeastern University (Green Line) stations. Students have Boston's employers and cultural life close by, while the university's other campuses offer starts in Oakland, London and New York City.
Nearest airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Notable alumni
- MH Maura HealeyGovernor of Massachusetts
- MH Maggie HassanUS Senator and former Governor of New Hampshire
- GJ Gregory JarvisAstronaut on Space Shuttle Challenger
- JC Jane CurtinActress and original Saturday Night Live cast member
- WW Wendy WilliamsBroadcaster and host of The Wendy Williams Show
- JB J.J. BareaFormer NBA player
- TF Toby FoxCreator of the video games Undertale and Deltarune
Frequently asked questions
What is Northeastern's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Northeastern admitted 5,920 of 105,256 first-year applicants, about 5.6%. Early Decision applicants were admitted at about 35%.
Is Northeastern test-optional?
Yes. You choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores and are not disadvantaged without them. Fall 2025 enrollees who submitted scores had a middle 50% of 1440-1510 on the SAT and 33-34 on the ACT.
What are Northeastern's deadlines for fall 2027?
Early Decision I and Early Action are due November 1, 2026; Early Decision II and Regular Decision are due January 1, 2027.
How much does Northeastern cost?
For 2026-27 the estimated cost of attendance on the Boston, New York City or Oakland campuses is $98,322, including $71,050 tuition. A first year as a London or NYC Scholar costs about $93,200 in direct costs.
Does Northeastern give financial aid to international students?
Need-based aid is only for US citizens and permanent residents, but all first-year applicants who apply by January 1 are considered for merit scholarships. International applicants must submit a Declaration and Certification of Finances.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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