REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Northeastern University
Northeastern University, located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, is a globally recognized private research institution renowned for its innovative approach to education. Established in 1898, Northeastern has distinguished itself through its wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its ten colleges and schools, with particularly strong programs in business, engineering, computer science, and health sciences. With state-of-the-art facilities, including cutting-edge research labs, modern classrooms, and extensive athletic and recreational resources, the university provides students with an environment conducive to both learning and personal growth. Northeastern’s prime location in Boston offers students unparalleled access to a wealth of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities.
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Northeastern University
Northeastern University, located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, is a globally recognized private research institution renowned for its innovative approach to education. Established in 1898, Northeastern has distinguished itself through its wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its ten colleges and schools, with particularly strong programs in business, engineering, computer science, and health sciences. With state-of-the-art facilities, including cutting-edge research labs, modern classrooms, and extensive athletic and recreational resources, the university provides students with an environment conducive to both learning and personal growth. Northeastern’s prime location in Boston offers students unparalleled access to a wealth of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities.
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
Northeastern University
Northeastern University, located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, is a globally recognized private research institution renowned for its innovative approach to education. Established in 1898, Northeastern has distinguished itself through its wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its ten colleges and schools, with particularly strong programs in business, engineering, computer science, and health sciences. With state-of-the-art facilities, including cutting-edge research labs, modern classrooms, and extensive athletic and recreational resources, the university provides students with an environment conducive to both learning and personal growth. Northeastern’s prime location in Boston offers students unparalleled access to a wealth of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities.
School Location:
BOSTON, MA
School Type:
PRIVATE UNIVERSITY
Admissions Rates:
ADMITTED: 5.65%
GENERAL INFO
SAT/ACT Scores:
Test Optional for 2024-2025
Admission Cycle
Class of 2027 Test Scores
Middle 50% SAT:
1460-1530
Middle 50% ACT:
33-35
Dates/Deadlines:
Early Decision I (ED I):
November 1
Early Action (EA):
January 1
Early Decision II (ED II):
January 1
Regular Decision: January 1
School Information:
Undergraduate population:
21,185
Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Most important factors for admissions decisions:
Testing
Interviews Considered: No
NORTHEASTERN TIPS & GUIDE
How difficult is it to get into Northeastern University?
Northeastern is a highly selective university, and had a 5.65% acceptance rate in the 2023-24 application cycle. Out of the 96,631 applicants, Northeastern accepted 5,459, and 69.9% of the Class of 2027 were in the top ten percent of their high school. Very important in admissions considerations are factors including academic rigor, GPA, standardized test scores, application essays, and recommendation letters. The 50th percentile composite SAT score for the Class of 2027 was 1500 and the 50th percentile composite ACT Score was 34.
What is the campus like at Northeastern University?
Northeastern is located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. The 73-acre, tree-lined campus is a short walk to the “T,” the public transportation system in Boston. Northeastern also has regional programs in Arlington, VA; Charlotte, NC; Miami, Fl; Oakland, CA; Seattle, WA; Silicon Valley, CA; and Portland, MA. There are also international campuses in Toronto, Vancouver, and London.
The campus is equipped with expansive resources, including advanced research labs, innovative classrooms, and comprehensive libraries. State-of-the-art academic facilities such as the Snell Library and the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex provide students with cutting edge technology needed to develop their research acumen. The Marino Recreation Center and the SquashBusters Center offer extensive athletic and recreational facilities, catering to a wide range of interests and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.
All first and second-year students are required to live in University housing (unless a global experience or co-op takes them outside of Boston). There are traditional and suite-style housing options, as well as apartment-style accommodations for second-year and upperclassmen students.
First Year students choose from over a dozen Living Learning Communities (LLC’s). LLC’s bring students together based on academic or personal interests, such as Pre-Health, Engineering, Cultural Inclusion, Creative Expressions, and Healthy Living. The Residential Life staff directs each LLC, alongside staff and faculty across Northeastern. Together, they provide support, facilitate intentional learning opportunities, and foster meaningful connections within the community.
Through Northeastern’s Center for Student Involvement (CS), there are over 523 student organizations available for students to get involved in their community, including Fraternities and Sororities, and club sports, like climbing, basketball, squash, archery, tennis, and more. Northeastern athletes compete in 19 varsity sports in Division I.
Boston is home to 35 colleges, universities and community colleges, including MIT, Harvard, Tufts, Boston University, and Boston College. Undergraduate students won’t run out of things to do around town, as this major city is packed with restaurants, shopping, professional sports teams, museums, and more.
What is Northeastern University known for?
Northeastern is known for its commitment to experiential learning, socially conscious research and activism, and its global reach. The school’s signature co-op program is one of the most renowned of its kind in the world. The program integrates classroom study with professional experience, allowing students to alternate between semesters of academic study and full-time employment in their field of interest. This experiential learning model gives students hands-on experience and a competitive edge in the job market—93% of the school’s graduates are employed or pursuing further education nine months after graduation.
How diverse is Northeastern University?
Northeastern’s campus is made up of a diverse and international community. Of the 21,330 undergraduate students at Northeastern in the fall of 2023, 11% or 2,361 of students were Hispanic/Latino, 5% or 1,094 were Black, 20.7% or 4,433 were Asian, and 41.2% or 8,803 wee white. Additionally, 43.8% of the undergraduate student body are men, while 56.0% are women.
How do I apply to Northeastern University?
You can apply to Northeastern using the Common Application or the Coalition Application. The Northeastern Application requirements are:
- High School transcripts, as well as your first-semester or first-trimester transcripts from your senior year, as soon as they are available.
- Teacher recommendation
- Counselor recommendation
- Optional: 1-2 additional recommendations from someone offering a different viewpoint. However, due to the number of applications, Northeastern may not be able to consider them as part of your evaluation.
- An English Language Test if you are a non-native English speaker, unless you have completed 4 consecutive, full-time academic years in high schools and universities where native English was the primary instructional language for all courses except foreign language acquisition courses.
- If you are applying to the College of Arts, Media, and Design, you may be required to submit a creative portfolio.
- * Northeastern is test-optional through 2026. If you do decide to submit testing, you may submit the SAT and/or ACT. Northeastern super-scores and will only consider your best scores.
- Application fee of $75 or a need-based fee waiver
You can apply to Northeastern through 4 different applications: Early Decision I (Deadline: November 1), Early Action (Deadline: November 1), Early Decision II (Deadline: January 1), and Regular Decision (Deadline: January 1). If applying Early Decision, your acceptance is binding, and you must withdraw applications from other schools if accepted. Northeastern offers two Early Decision application timelines, allowing students to apply for Early Decision later in the application cycle. Early Action and Regular Decision applications are non-binding.
Does Northeastern University have a good athletic department?
Northeastern has a robust and competitive athletic department. The Northeastern Huskies, the university’s athletic teams, participate in NCAA Division I competitions, primarily in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and the Hockey East Conference. Hockey, basketball, and baseball are some of the most popular and competitive sports at Northeastern.
What are Northeastern University’s core curriculum and programs?
At Northeastern’s 9 undergraduate schools and colleges, students can study one of more than 290 majors and over 180 combined majors. Northeastern prides itself on offering a rigorous, guided, and flexible academic environment. With a team of advisors, students choose a program as well as experiential programs to complete.
Northeastern’s Specialized Entry Programs for first-year students, including the N.U.in Program. This program is designed to help students become engaged citizens of the world. Students can spend their first semester in London, England; Berlin, Germany; Thessaloniki, Greece; Dublin, Ireland; Rome, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland; or Bilbao or Madrid, Spain. Students return to the Boston campus in January to continue their studies at the main Northeastern campus. Other first-year programs include the General Studies Program, NU Bond, NU Immerse, and Foundation Year.
Northeastern also offers special opportunities through experiential learning. Cooperative Education (Co-op) has been the cornerstone experiential learning program. Students alternate semesters of study with full-time work. Students can begin their first co-op during the second semester of their sophomore year, with help of their co-op coordinator.
Northeastern also has tons of opportunities for students to gain global experience. There are over 148 countries where students have studied abroad. Over 3,200 undergraduate students go abroad each year!
Can I afford Northeastern University?
The estimated cost of attendance for the 2023-2024 school year is $86,821, including tuition, room and board, student fees, and personal expenses. Note that the cost of attendance varies for other Northeastern programs. Northeastern meets 100% of its demonstrated financial need and offers a plethora of need and merit-based scholarships for students from all backgrounds. You can calculate your estimated family contribution using Northeastern’s net price calculator.
