Northeastern Admissions: What Is Northeastern University’s Acceptance Rate?

There are a lot of reasons why Northeastern University is home to so many undergraduate and graduate students. It’s a top-rated school, known for quality education in fields like technology, healthcare, and education. To help you make an informed decision, this article takes a closer look at the Northeastern University acceptance rate, Northeastern University admission requirements, and other key information.

The school uses a semester-based academic calendar. It also provides personalized learning experiences globally through its internship program, which is available onsite and virtually to students. According to US News & World Report, Northeastern University is ranked #49 in National Universities, #58 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #104 in the Best Value School.

Is Northeastern University Easy to Get Into?

No, Northeastern University is not that easy to get into. It has a fairly competitive admissions rate. Because of its quality and reputation, the university receives a lot of interest from prospective students. During the 2020/2021 academic year, for example, it received almost 65,000 applications.

If you meet all Northeastern University’s admissions requirements, you have a fair chance of being accepted. However, if you fail to meet any of the conditions, you may find it challenging to gain admission because there are thousands of other qualified, prospective students waiting to enroll.

To get into the school, you can either be a transfer or a first-year student. It should be noted that the admissions team gives more recognition to students who can bring a range of interests, experiences, and perspectives. They want to curate an incoming freshman class that reflects diversity.

What Is Northeastern University’s Acceptance Rate?

Northeastern University’s acceptance rate is at 20 percent, according to US News & World Report, which means it admits one out of five applicants. About a decade ago, Northeastern University’s acceptance rate was around 34 percent, which is equivalent to one successful application out of three. Over the years, the school continued to build such a strong reputation through quality academic programs.

What Is Northeastern University’s Transfer Acceptance Rate?

Northeastern University’s transfer acceptance rate currently stands at 31.12 percent. Getting into Northeastern University as a transfer applicant is almost as competitive as the general admissions. So, if you are considered for admissions into the university, you will need a strong GPA and standardized test scores.

Additionally, you should have completed at least 12 semester hours of college-level coursework or 24 college-level credits to be eligible for admission into Northeastern University as a transfer student. The school only considers applicants who have completed a semester of full-time coursework. Note that transfer applications are open for the spring and fall terms.

What Is Northeastern University’s Early Decision Acceptance Rate?

Northeastern University’s early decision acceptance rate in 2021 reveals 51 percent of applicants were accepted early. While the acceptance rate for Early Decision applicants is positive, it does not mean you have a higher chance of getting in through this avenue. You still have to meet all Northeastern University admissions requirements. Early Decision I and II generally ends on November 1 and January 1 respectively.

Early Decision applicants typically only have their eyes set on one university instead of trying to gain admission into multiple schools. The school honors this commitment and reciprocates by making a quicker decision about their enrollment. Northeastern University offers several benefits to Early Decision enrolling students such as the Northeastern University Accelerate Scholarship.

Northeastern University Admissions: An Overview

• Number of Applicants at Northern University per year: 75,244 (Fall 2021)
• Northeastern Acceptance Rate:18%

Northeastern University recorded a total of 64,428 applications for Fall 2020 and the number increased by 17 percent to 75,244 applications in Fall 2021. There’s also a six percent increase in the number of international applicants. Due to high demand, the school only admits 20 percent of all applicants. The breakdown of diverse applicants are as follows.

• 29% of the applicants identified as Black or African American
• 22% of the applicants identified as Latinx or Hispanic
• 34% of the applicants identified as Alaska Native or American Indian

Who Gets Into Northeastern University?

Undergraduate Northeastern students come from all across the country. The number of undergraduate students from each US state are relative to the population of the state. This is why states like New York, California, and Massachusetts represent a larger percentage of US undergraduate students at Northeastern University.

The year-by-year increase in international applicants and international students also shows that diversity and inclusion is a major part of its student demographics. The university also has an almost equal population of male and female identifying students at 49 percent and 51 percent respectively, according to Data USA. This also means all students, regardless of background, are well represented.

Northeastern University Enrollment by Ethnicity

• Black or African American: 3.64%
• Asian: 13.5%
• Hispanic: 7.29%
• Nonresident alien: 29%
• Biracial or multiracial: 3.64%
• Unknown race: 4%
• White: 39.1%

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate by Major

Some Northeastern programs are more common among applicants than others. The number of applicants admitted in a set will determine the number of graduates and degrees awarded. Based on the information that was available, the acceptance rate by major in 2020 is as follows.

Acceptance Rate by Major at Northeastern University

• General Business: 22.6%
• General Computer and Information Science: 7.57%
• Mechanical Engineering: 6.03%

Northeastern University Application Deadline: When Is Northeastern’s Application Due?

Northeastern University has a rolling admissions policy. However, you have to complete the application for the term you desire to start. For a smooth application process, you have to submit your official transcript if your institution is listed on the physical or online application form.

The application deadline is usually a month before the start of the new session. For international students, it is about two months.

Northeastern University Application Deadlines

• Early Decision Deadline: November 1 for ED 1 and January 1 for ED 2
• Early Action Deadline: November 1
• Application Fee: $75
• Common App: N/A

According to the school’s website, applicants for Early Decision I will receive the news of their applications by December 15 while applicants for Early Decision II should receive theirs by February 15.

What Are the Major Reasons to Go to Northeastern University?

Some major reasons to go to Northeastern University include the impressive education quality and location. Northeastern University is one of the most diverse universities in the United States and it prepares graduates to flourish in the multicultural world. The excellent education quality and positive values will help current students round out their hard and soft skills to succeed in the job market.

Northeastern University’s Cooperative Education

Many students testified that their Cooperative Education program is the number one reason for applying to Northeastern University. The co-ops are full-time programs and last six months. These help students gain real-world experience from leading companies worldwide.

The professional experience is not the only benefit. Northeastern students also get paid during the programs and graduate with a more stacked resume than students from other universities. And to top it all off, many get full-time job offers immediately after graduation.

Northeastern University’s Location

You can get carried away by the beautiful campus that you may forget you are in Boston, one of the world’s biggest metropolitan areas. The attractions in Boston alone can easily make you fall in love with the state.

You also cannot ignore that Boston has various opportunities, whether you are looking for a job or starting an enterprise. So, with the various clubs available at the university, take hold of the opportunity and make some helpful connections that can be useful to your career and academic goals.

Northeastern University’s Reputation

The university is not competitive for nothing. It ranks high and constantly grows in its rankings, as evident in the US News & World Report. Every year, there is always a significant endowment, improving the infrastructure and education quality.

And with the many resources you will have access to as a Northeastern student, you can not help but agree that the university’s reputation helps your academic achievement and contributes to a well-rounded learning experience.

Tips for Applying to Northeastern University

Since you have heard or read about how competitive the university can be, you should do your part to be eligible for admission. Here are some helpful tips on having the upper hand when applying to Northeastern University.

Pay Attention to Details

There are different requirements to be eligible for admission into the university, depending on your preferred program and degree level. But, do not let that overwhelm you. Read all the materials available, take notes, and get started when you have enough information about the admission requirements. If you are unclear about anything, don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Aim for Excellence

Considering how competitive the university is, you should aim for the best in all your endeavors, including extracurricular activities. To be eligible for admissions, you need a high GPA which means you must be a strong student. Your SAT or ACT scores must also be above average.

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You should boost your chances by writing an excellent entrance essay. You can go explain more about your strengths, highlight your talent, and talk about your character. These are all important factors the university looks for in candidates.

Prepare all you Need

Different programs have different requirements but as a general rule, you should have strong SAT/ACT scores, entrance essays, and letters of recommendation. You should also have good extracurricular records. So, ensure that you have said documents when the time comes.

Meet Application Deadlines

Early Decision applications have a higher acceptance rate than other applications, so you can consider applying for an Early Decision if you are 100 percent sure that Northeastern University is your number one choice. Also, take note of the application deadline and submit accordingly. Do not submit later than stated as this might ruin your chances of getting in.

Northeastern University Admissions Requirements: First-Year Applicant Checklist

When considering first-year applicants eligibility, the admissions committee considers if the candidate’s high school transcript reflects what they want in the candidates. They consider their academic opportunities, as well as international baccalaureate, advanced placement, or college-level courses. The first-year application checklist should include the following.

• Completed common application or coalition application with a $75 application fee
• School teacher or counselor recommendations
• High school transcripts
• Standardized tests
• English proficiency

Some additional requirements for specific students include:

• Portfolios (for majors in Colleges of Arts, Media, and Design)
• Declaration and Certification of Finances (for non-US citizens)

Northeastern University SAT Requirements

This section discusses the SAT scores required to get accepted into Northeastern University. A 25th percentile figure shows that 25 percent of students scored at or below that number, while a 75th percentile figure tells us that 25 percent scored above that number.

• Students Submitting SAT Scores: 54%
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 560 (25th percentile); 750 (75th percentile)
• SAT Math:561 (25th percentile); 790 (75th percentile)

Northeastern University ACT Requirements

Below, we show you the ACT scores required to get accepted into Northeastern University. You will see that a slightly higher percentage of students choose to submit SAT scores than ACT scores, but the admissions department has no preference between either test.

• Students Submitting ACT Scores: 45%
• ACT Composite: 33 (25th percentile); 35 (75th percentile)
• ACT English: 33 (25th percentile); 35 (75th percentile)
• ACT Math: 30 (25th percentile); 35 (75th percentile)

Acing Your Northeastern University Application: What Is the Best Way to Prepare for the SAT and ACT?

Do Your Research

Before choosing an exam, you should know the difference between the ACT and SAT so you can know which you will most likely perform better in. The SAT has four categories: a 65-minute reading test, 35-minute writing and language test, and an 80-minute math section. Meanwhile, the ACT comprises a 45-minute English test, 35-minute reading test, 35-minute science test, and a 60-minute math section.

You are halfway prepared when you know all the essential information about the exam. Familiarize yourself with the type of questions, instructions, test structure, and time given for each test section. This will keep you from being surprised on exam day.

Prepare for the Exam

Even though this is an obvious statement, it needs to be restated. You can use online resources to study or official prep books that are available for each exam. Do practice questions to get more familiar with them. This also helps reduce some stress of the exam day.

If you cannot learn well on your own, go for tutoring or test prep classes. Some questions you find difficult might be more straightforward with an experienced instructor. Improving your vocabulary will also help you perform well.

Take a Practice Test

During your preparation, you should take full-length practice tests to see how prepared you are. Create a mock exam environment, set a timer, and take the practice test. After you are done with the exam, check and review your answers.

After the mock exam, you should know how prepared you are, your strengths, and your weaknesses. Then you know what to do to improve your score. Prepare again, take another practice test, and repeat the cycle until you write the exam.

Northeastern University GPA Requirements: What GPA Do I Need to Get In?

You will likely need a GPA of at least 3.0 to get into Northeastern University. Keep in mind that most successful applicants usually have a GPA between 4.1 and 4.5, meaning they have to be a straight A student. Anything less than this will mean the student needs a higher ACT or SAT score to compensate for the low GPA.

Even though many schools specify their preferred minimum GPA requirement, it does not guarantee admissions. It just ensures that your application meets the threshold and does not get rejected immediately.

Northeastern University Tuition: How Much Does it Cost to Attend Northeastern University?

Studying at Northeastern University costs $56,500 a year with extra $1,092 in fees for the academic year 2021/2022. You may also have to pay around $17,810 for room and boarding. The room rates might vary depending on assignment and occupancy. The boarding charge is based on 17 meals per week. And the standard curriculum is 16 semester hours per term.

It is not cheap to study at Northeastern University, but it can be a worthy investment. The value you get from a Northeastern education will easily surpass the amount you paid for tuition.

Note that the school also offers several financial aid options, including need-based financial aid for students who are eligible.

Common Majors at Northeastern University

The most common majors at Northeastern University are general business, general computer and information sciences, and mechanical engineering. These majors had the highest number of degrees awarded in 2020.

Business

The school offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and International Business, and you can also go for the combined honors. Business education incorporates the theory and practice of business management through a corporate partnership, active learning, problem-driven research, and experiential assignments. This is a popular major at universities around the country.

Best Jobs for Business Graduates

• Accountant
• Investment banker
• Financial analyst

General Computer and Information Sciences

The computer science program aims to teach practical and conceptual skills which will allow students to contribute to the development of computational principles in the software community. It focuses on the basics of program design, including software development, systems, and networks, principles of language, object-oriented designs, and advanced data and algorithms.

Best Jobs for General Computer and Information Sciences Graduates

• Software developer
• Computer hardware engineer
• Business analyst

Mechanical Engineering

This program will teach you how to optimize and solve real-world global challenges in energy, healthcare, and resilience systems. The curriculum focuses on thermofluid engineering, applied mechanics, controls, and material science.

Best Jobs for Mechanical Engineering Graduates

• Automotive engineer
• Aerospace engineer
• Biomedical engineer

Northeastern University Attendance Outcomes

Northeastern graduates are in high demand, thanks to the quality of the programs. According to the school’s website about 78 percent of graduates found employment after graduation while another 18.9 percent went on to graduate school. The other 2.9 percent reportedly are still seeking employment. The table below will explain the most common jobs that Northeastern graduates have landed.

Most Common Jobs for People Who Attended Northeastern University

Northeastern University Alumni Highest-Paying Jobs

Should I Apply to Northeastern University?

Yes, you should apply to Northeastern University if you are looking for a reputable school with a diverse student population. However, getting accepted into the university might be a bit hard because of its competitive admissions process. Currently, Northeastern University’s acceptance rate stands at 20 percent.

If you want to ensure a smooth admissions process, you need to do a lot of research on your desired program to see if you meet the specific requirements. Then, you can prepare all the documents needed, submit an application, and find a tuition plan that works for you. You can also look into financial aid such as scholarships.

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate FAQ