Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston known for its signature cooperative education (co-op) program, which weaves up to a full year of paid professional work into the undergraduate degree. Admission has become intensely selective — Northeastern admitted about 5.2% of more than 98,000 first-year applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled students who submitted scores posted middle-50% SATs of 1450–1520 and ACTs of 33–35. The university is test-optional, draws roughly two-thirds of its first-years from out of state, and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for first-year students. The figures below are drawn directly from Northeastern's official Common Data Set.
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Northeastern admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Northeastern offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~11.2× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
Northeastern is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Northeastern's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 21.9% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Northeastern does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Northeastern weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Northeastern's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Northeastern admissions
Is it hard to get into Northeastern?＋
Yes — Northeastern is now one of the most selective private universities in the country, admitting about 5.2% of applicants in the most recent cycle. It offered admission to roughly 5,133 of more than 98,425 first-year applicants and enrolled about 2,759 students. Admission is holistic, with the rigor of your high school record, academic GPA, test scores (if submitted), and recommendations all weighed as very important factors.
Does applying Early Decision improve your chances at Northeastern?＋
Yes — the Early Decision round admits a far higher share of applicants than the regular pool. Northeastern admitted about 1,492 of 3,466 binding Early Decision applicants (roughly 43%), versus an overall acceptance rate near 5.2%. Northeastern offers both Early Decision I and II (binding) plus a nonbinding Early Action plan, so a committed applicant has a meaningful early advantage.
Do you have to submit the SAT or ACT to Northeastern?＋
No. Northeastern is test-optional, so you can apply without scores and won't be disadvantaged for leaving them off. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1450–1520 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. Submitted scores are still weighed as a very important factor when you include them.
Is a 1490 SAT good enough for Northeastern?＋
A 1490 is competitive — it sits right in the middle of Northeastern's range, at the 50th percentile of enrolled first-years. The middle 50% scored 1450–1520 on the SAT (33–35 ACT), so a 1490 is worth submitting under the test-optional policy. Because admission is this selective, strong grades, course rigor, and a sharp essay still carry the application alongside the score.
What GPA and class rank do you need to get into Northeastern?＋
Northeastern doesn't publish a single average GPA, but admitted students cluster at the very top of their classes. Among the roughly 22% of enrolled first-years who reported a class rank, about 69% were in the top tenth of their graduating class and 94% were in the top quarter. There's no hard cutoff, but the rigor of your course load and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors.
Does the essay matter for Northeastern?＋
Yes. Northeastern weighs the application essay in its holistic review alongside character, extracurriculars, work experience, and recommendations. With an acceptance rate near 5.2% and no interview in the process, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the few places a strong applicant can stand out and show fit for Northeastern's co-op-driven model.
How much does Northeastern cost, and is financial aid available?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $69,289 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once on-campus housing and food (about $22,048) are added. Northeastern meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for first-year students; about 50% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, and the average need-based package is roughly $60,416.
What is Northeastern known for academically?＋
Northeastern is known for its co-op program, which builds up to a full year of paid professional work into the undergraduate degree, and its most-conferred fields reflect that career focus. Business is the single most popular area at about 23% of degrees, followed by engineering (18%) and computer and information sciences (16%), with biological and life sciences, social sciences, and health professions rounding out the top fields.
Source: Northeastern University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-06. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Northeastern. Banner photo by Edward Orde, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).