Private · Boston, MA · New England Commission of Higher Education

Northeastern University

Northeastern is a private R1 research university in Boston, known for its co-op program and its commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduates — domestic and international.

  • Need-blind admissions for domestic and international students
  • Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all four years
  • Average co-op earnings of $24,000+ over a student's career offset real cost
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Acceptance rate
18%
Undergrad enrollment
15,657
Institution type
Private research
State
Massachusetts

Type

Private university

Location

Boston, MA

Acceptance rate

18%

Undergrad enrollment

15,657

Northeastern University is a private R1 research university in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. It enrolls roughly 15,700 undergraduates across its eight colleges and is widely recognized for its co-op program, which places students in paid six-month work experiences with employers ranging from local startups to Fortune 500 firms.

Published tuition and fees for 2026–27 run about $68,000, and the total cost of attendance with housing and a meal plan reaches around $90,000. Despite the headline price, Northeastern's commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need — for both domestic and international students — makes the actual net price significantly lower for admitted students who qualify for aid.

Co-op earnings do not count toward tuition, but they offset the effective cost of attendance over a student's career. Northeastern reports median cumulative co-op earnings of $24,000 across the typical undergraduate experience, and a much higher figure for engineers and computer scientists.

Tuition & fees

$63,690

Total cost of attendance

$94,970

Tuition + housing + food + transport + other

Net price (after avg aid)

$59,970

After $35,000 average grant aid

Show full cost breakdown
CategoryAmount
Tuition and fees$63,690
Housing$19,590
Food and meal plan$7,790
Transportation$1,400
Books and other$2,500
Total annual cost$94,970
Need-blind (domestic)
Meets full need (domestic)
—Need-blind (international)
—Meets full need (international)
FAFSA eligible
State scholarship eligible

  • Northeastern University Grant

    Typical award: $25,000 / yr

  • Federal Pell Grant

    Typical award: $7,395 / yr

  • Massachusetts Grant

    Typical award: $2,500 / yr

  • Computer Science (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Khoury College — co-op-aligned CS with concentrations in AI, systems, and security.

    Program page

  • Computer Engineering (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Joint CS/ECE program with hardware and embedded systems focus. Co-op placement at top hardware firms.

    Program page

  • Business Administration (BSBA)

    Bachelor's

    D'Amore-McKim — top-ranked undergraduate business with concentrations in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

    Program page

  • Mechanical Engineering (BS)

    Bachelor's

    College of Engineering with robotics and aerospace concentrations. Co-op placement at Boeing, iRobot, Tesla.

    Program page

  • Nursing (BSN)

    Bachelor's

    Bouvé College — direct-admit BSN with clinical placements at Boston's teaching hospitals.

    Program page

  • Health Science (BS)

    Bachelor's

    Pre-health track with concentrations in pre-med, pre-PT, and public health.

    Program page

Regular decision deadline

January 1 (Regular Decision)

Early: November 1 (Early Action; ED not offered)

Application

Common App accepted

Apply now

GPA (middle 50%)

4.2 – 4.6 weighted

Test policy

SAT 1490

ACT 33

  • “Two co-ops at Google and Microsoft covered my living expenses for two years. Graduating with real industry experience and zero consumer debt.”

    Senior, Computer Science

  • “I came in on financial aid and the meet-full-need policy covered everything I couldn't afford. I picked Northeastern over cheaper state schools and never looked back.”

    Junior, Business

  • “The global experience sent me to London for a semester. I came back with a job offer from a UK firm and a clearer sense of what I want to do.”

    Sophomore, Engineering

6-year grad rate

91%

Median starting salary

$76,300

10-year ROI (net)

$412,000

Top-paying majors

  • Computer Science$124,500
  • Computer Engineering$118,200
  • Finance$96,200
  • Mechanical Engineering$88,700
  • Business Administration$85,400

Where grads go: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Boston Scientific, Deloitte.

SchoolTuitionTypeWhy compare
Northeastern University$63,690PrivateYou are here
Boston UniversityOpen the calculator—Comparable cost in the same metro; less generous need-based aid.
Tufts UniversityOpen the calculator—Smaller private, similar need-blind + meet-full-need policy.
Northeastern SeattleOpen the calculator—Same university, Seattle campus, graduate-only programs with per-credit tuition.

Open the calculator, add Northeastern and one of the peers above, and the cost engine will fill in tuition, net price, and your loan gap automatically.

Northeastern University operates across multiple campuses and program modalities. Each entry below has its own published cost of attendance.

How much is Northeastern tuition in 2026–27?

For 2026–27, Northeastern's published tuition and fees are about $68,000. With standard on-campus housing and the unlimited meal plan, the total cost of attendance is approximately $90,000 per year.

Is Northeastern need-blind for international students?

Yes. Northeastern is one of fewer than ten U.S. universities that admit international students without considering their ability to pay, and it meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted undergraduates — including international students — with grants, not loans.

What is the average net price at Northeastern?

After need-based grants, the average net price for first-time undergraduates who receive aid is roughly $30,000 per year. About 75% of incoming first-year students receive Northeastern grant aid, and the average grant is over $50,000.

How much do Northeastern co-ops pay?

Northeastern co-op salaries vary by industry. Recent median co-op earnings reported by the university are about $5,000–$6,000 per six-month rotation, with higher figures in finance, software, and engineering. Over the typical undergraduate career, students can earn $24,000+ from co-op salaries alone.

Does Northeastern require the SAT or ACT?

Northeastern is test-optional for first-year applicants. Students may submit SAT or ACT scores if they believe it strengthens their application. Test-optional status is reviewed yearly — check Northeastern's admissions site for the current policy before you apply.

What GPA do you need to get into Northeastern?

There is no published minimum GPA. The middle-50% of admitted first-year students fall between a 4.2 and a 4.6 weighted GPA and between 1430 and 1540 on the SAT. Northeastern reviews applications holistically and considers context, including your school's rigor.

Trade notes with current Northeastern students and recent admits

If you got a financial aid package from Northeastern, share the COA, the grant amount, and your family income bracket. This helps future applicants calibrate expectations.

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Reviewed by Geek College Editorial Team. First published 2026-04-18. Last reviewed 2026-07-10.