Northeastern University

www.northeastern.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$62,000

4.91% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$34,770

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

5.65%

96,631 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

31,159

95.4% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

90.4%

2,809 Graduates

About

Northeastern University is a higher education institution located in Suffolk County, MA. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Northeastern University were General Business (958 degrees awarded), General Computer & Information Sciences (558 degrees), and Mechanical Engineering (231 degrees).

In 2023, 9,832 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northeastern University. 50.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 49.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,417 degrees), 2.89 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,184 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Northeastern University is $62,000, which is $30,997 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Northeastern University was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 4,535 total borrowers.

Photo by JessT-R

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Northeastern University is $62,000, which is $30,997 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $34,770.

In 2023, 65% of undergraduate students attending Northeastern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 28% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$62,000

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Northeastern University was $62,000. The cost of tuition at Northeastern University is $30,997 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Northeastern University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$34,770

2023 Value

2.95%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Northeastern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $34,770. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Northeastern University grew by 2.95%.

This chart compares the average net price of Northeastern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$18,430

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Northeastern University was of $18,430 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 3.48% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Northeastern University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

65%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

28%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

65% of undergraduate students at Northeastern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 2.99% with respect to 2022, when 67% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Northeastern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Northeastern University was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 4535 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Northeastern University received 96,631 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 6.19% annual growth. Out of those 96,631 applicants, 5,459 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 5.65% acceptance rate.

There were 31,159 students enrolled at Northeastern University in 2023. 27% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Northeastern University has an overall enrollment yield of 50.3%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

5.65%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

5,459

Accepted Out of 96,631

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northeastern University was 5.65% (5,459 admissions from 96,631 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 6.8%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 6.19%, while admissions declined by 11.8%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Northeastern University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

27%

Submission Percentage (2023)

754

Scores Submitted (2023)

27% of enrolled first-time students at Northeastern University in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Northeastern University had a total enrollment of 31,159 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Northeastern University is 29,738 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,421. This means that 95.4% of students enrolled at Northeastern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Northeastern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 30.2% White, 14% Asian, 7.34% Hispanic or Latino, 4.15% Two or More Races, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.0449% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0353% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Northeastern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (22.7%), followed by White Male (18.3%) and Asian Female (11.9%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (10.2%), followed by White Male (7.7%) and Asian Female (3.66%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

95.4%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northeastern University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 31,159 students. The full-time enrollment at Northeastern University is 29,738 and the part-time enrollment is 1,421. This means that 95.4% of students enrolled at Northeastern University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.9% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Northeastern University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

98%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Northeastern University was 98%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Northeastern University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Northeastern University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
9,418 enrolled students
Asian
4,356 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,288 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Northeastern University is 30.2% White, 14% Asian, 7.34% Hispanic or Latino, 4.15% Two or More Races, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.0449% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0353% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.5% White, 15.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.78% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 418 students (1.34%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 76 more women than men received degrees from Northeastern University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Northeastern University is white (3,417 degrees awarded). There were 2.89 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,184 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Northeastern University is General Business (958 degrees awarded), followed by General Computer & Information Sciences (558 degrees) and Mechanical Engineering (231 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Northeastern University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering (2,780 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (1,778 degrees), and Math & Statistics (285 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northeastern University are Software developers (1,077,133 people), Other managers (434,692 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (392,624 people), Civil engineers (306,849 people), and Mechanical engineers (218,915 people).

The most specialized majors at Northeastern University in 2023 are Engineering (2,780 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (1,778 degrees), Math & Statistics (285 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (89 degrees), and Legal (243 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northeastern University are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Physicians, and Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

The most specialized majors at Northeastern University are Engineering (2,780 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (1,778 degrees), Math & Statistics (285 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (89 degrees), and Legal (243 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northeastern University are Computer Systems Design (1,083,621 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (576,851 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (550,929 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (489,318 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (363,173 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Northeastern University.

Most Common (2023)

General Computer & Information Sciences
778 degrees awarded
Computer Software Engineering
767 degrees awarded
Other Engineering
333 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common masters degree concentration at Northeastern University was General Computer & Information Sciences with 778 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from masters degree programs at Northeastern University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,878

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

4,954

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 4,878 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University, which is 0.985 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,954).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Northeastern University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 833 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University in General Computer & Information Sciences, which is 1.58 times more than the 526 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 526 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University in General Computer & Information Sciences, which is 0.631 times less than the 833 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

N/A%

100% Completion Time

91%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, N/A% of students graduating from Northeastern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 91% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 91% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (95.1%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Northeastern University is Female and Asian (95.1% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 9.97% of graduates (280 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
3,417 degrees awarded
Asian
1,184 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
572 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Northeastern University is white (3,417 degrees awarded). There were 2.89 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,184 degrees).

1.26% of degree recipients (124 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
1,781 degrees awarded
White Male
1,636 degrees awarded
Asian Female
670 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Northeastern University is white female (1,781 degrees awarded). There were 1.09 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,636 degrees).

Operations

Northeastern University has an endowment valued at nearly $1.68B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 135M (8.02%) compared to the 4.37% average return (19M on 434M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2023, Northeastern University had a total salary expenditure of 1.95B. Northeastern University employs 525 Professors, 503 Associate professors and 435 Assistant professors. Most academics at Northeastern University are Male Professor (341), Male Associate professor (289), and Female Assistant professor (226).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northeastern University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 959 employees, Management, with 831 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 553 employees.

Endowment

$1.68B

2023 Endowment

9.12%

growth from 2022

Northeastern University has an endowment valued at about $1.68B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Northeastern University grew 9.12% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.25B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Northeastern University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$804M

2023 Salaries

17%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Northeastern University paid a median of $804M in salaries, which represents 41.2% of their overall expenditure ($1.95B) and a 17% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 9.81% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 7.44% growth between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 246M (41.5% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$247M

Instructional Salaries

1,766

Number of Employees

In 2023, Northeastern University paid a total of $247M to 1,766 employees working as instructors, which represents 30.7% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.13M (2.35%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

525 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

959 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Northeastern University were Professor with 525 employees, Associate professor with 503 employees, and Assistant professor with 435 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northeastern University were Business and Financial Operations with 959 employees, Management with 831 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 553 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Assistant professor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Northeastern University was Male Professor with 341 employees, Male Associate professor with 289 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 226 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Northeastern University.

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