Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large city

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts. 17,326 undergraduates. Admits 5% of applicants.

91%Graduation rate36 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$17,850Average net price per year10% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$99,371Median earnings 10 years after starting69% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$20,000Median debt at graduation7% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($20,000) equals 20% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($99,371). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

$48,001–$75,000$2,038
$75,001–$110,000$11,758
Over $110,000$35,152

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $69,289.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate91%54%
Return for second year97%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$86,147$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$99,371$58,912
Median debt at graduation$20,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

177 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Finance and Financial Management Services18$113,126$170,261—
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering195$124,342$168,152—
Taxation3—$162,886—
Business/Commerce, General160$129,571$153,817—
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing54$139,712$148,498—
Biotechnology270$116,193$146,496—
Computer and Information Sciences, General1,133$131,773$143,767—
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration29—$142,686—
Engineering, General385$116,350$135,346—
Mechanical Engineering99$96,589$134,658—
Accounting and Related Services66$86,876$130,059—
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management82$127,428——
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions50$122,071——
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology84$91,279$119,917—
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods153$109,831$114,789—
Criminal Justice and Corrections64$62,000$114,721—
Civil Engineering51$84,714$109,637—
Communication and Media Studies0—$106,845—
Medical Illustration and Informatics47$87,464$104,947—
Public Health51$70,318$100,643—
Homeland Security0—$98,443—
Public Administration80$63,923$94,509—
Chemical Engineering22$89,939——
Engineering, Other545$88,936——
Computer Software and Media Applications199$87,482——
International/Globalization Studies0$70,489$87,447—
Business Administration, Management and Operations111$90,182$84,788—
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology69$56,398$83,385—
Education, General0—$78,590—
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services56$68,910$75,138—
Human Services, General0—$73,060—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods0—$70,647—
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness2—$69,947—
Natural Resources Conservation and Research38$68,871——
Nutrition Sciences0—$65,991—
International Relations and National Security Studies14$63,991——
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology29—$61,575—
Environmental Design3———
Architectural Sciences and Technology49———
Journalism7———
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication13———
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other11———
Graphic Communications41———
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications13———
Computer Engineering1,086———
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering1———
Systems Engineering47———
Industrial Engineering99———
Manufacturing Engineering3———
Operations Research8———
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering94———
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies31———
English Language and Literature, General12———
Biology, General10———
Pharmacology and Toxicology15———
Mathematics2———
Applied Mathematics200———
Human Computer Interaction18———
Chemistry16———
Physics14———
Research and Experimental Psychology8———
Social Sciences, General6———
Economics56———
Political Science and Government6———
Sociology6———
Urban Studies/Affairs13———
Design and Applied Arts28———
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management3———
Visual and Performing Arts, Other1———
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions3———
History9———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

5%Admission rate
1,497Average SAT of admitted students
33–35ACT middle 50%
16:1Students per faculty member
16%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Northeastern University cost per year?
The average net price at Northeastern University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $17,850 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Northeastern University graduates earn?
Former Northeastern University students earn a median of $99,371 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Northeastern University?
91% of Northeastern University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Northeastern University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Northeastern University is $20,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.