Northeastern University

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2017 Undergraduate Tuition

$48,560

3.94% growth from 2016

2017 Average Net Price

$30,784

After Financial Aid

2016 Student Loan

2.05%

Default Rate

2017 Acceptance Rate

27.4%

54,209 Applicants

2017 Enrolled Students

21,489

95.9% Full-Time

2017 Graduation Rate

87.1%

2,673 Graduates

About

Northeastern University is a higher education institution located in Suffolk County, MA. In 2016, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Northeastern University were General Business (825 degrees awarded), Mechanical Engineering (182 degrees), and General Computer & Information Sciences (172 degrees).

In 2017, 6,652 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northeastern University. 49.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 50.1% awarded men. The majority of degree recipients were white (2,808 degrees), 5.18 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (542 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Northeastern University is $48,560, which is $22,060 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($26,500).

Photo by JessT-R

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Northeastern University is $48,560, which is $22,060 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($26,500).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $30,784.

In 2017, 63% of undergraduate students received federal grants, while 37% of undergraduate students received federal loans.

Student Expenses

Tuition Costs

$48,560

2017 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2017, the cost of tuition at Northeastern University was $48,560. The cost of tuition at Northeastern University is $22,060 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($26,500).

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

Average Net Price

$30,784

2017 Value

2.62%

1 Year Growth

In 2017 Northeastern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $30,784. Between 2016 and 2017, the average net price of Northeastern University grew by 2.62%.

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

$15,050

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Northeastern University was of $15,050 in 2017. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of room and board increased by 4.01% between 2016 and 2017. 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

Financial Aid by Income Level

63%

Of Undergraduates Receive Grants

37%

Of Undergraduates Receive Federal Loans

63% of undergraduate students at Northeastern University received grants or loans in 2017. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2016, when 63% 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.

2.05%

2016 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2016 the default rate for borrower's at Northeastern University was 2.05%, which represents 98 out of the 4771 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 54,209 undergraduate applications in 2017, which represents a 6.16% annual growth. Out of those 54,209 applicants, 14,876 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 27.4% acceptance rate.

There were 21,489 students enrolled at Northeastern University in 2017, and 33% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Northeastern University has an overall enrollment yield of 20.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

27.4%

Acceptance Rate in 2017

14,876

Accepted Out of 54,209

In 2017, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northeastern University was 27.4% (14,876 admissions from 54,209 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2016, which was 28.9%. Between 2016 and 2017, the number of applicants grew by 6.16%, while admissions grew by 0.875%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Northeastern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

33%

Submission Percentage

1,031

Scores Submitted

33% of enrolled first-time students at Northeastern University in 2017 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Northeastern University has a total enrollment of 21,489 students. The full-time enrollment at Northeastern University is 20,616 students and the part-time enrollment is 873. This means that 95.9% of students enrolled at Northeastern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Northeastern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 39.1% White, 10.1% Asian, 6.03% Hispanic or Latino, 3.11% Two or More Races, 3% Black or African American, 0.0419% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00931% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Northeastern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are majority White Male (22.8%), followed by White Female (22.7%) and Asian Female (7.39%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are majority White Female (13.5%), followed by White Male (9.69%) and Asian Female (2.72%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

95.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northeastern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 21,489 students. The full-time enrollment at Northeastern University is 20,616 and the part-time enrollment is 873. This means that 95.9% of students enrolled at Northeastern University are enrolled full-time compared with 78% 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

97%

2017 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 97%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (83%), 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

White
8,397
Asian
2,163
Hispanic or Latino
1,296

The enrolled student population at Northeastern University is 39.1% White, 10.1% Asian, 6.03% Hispanic or Latino, 3.11% Two or More Races, 3% Black or African American, 0.0419% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00931% 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 51.5% White, 13.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.57% 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, 1,251 students (5.82%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2017, 12 fewer women than men received degrees from Northeastern University. The majority of degree recipients at Northeastern University are white (2,808 degrees awarded). There were 5.18 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (542 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Northeastern University is General Business (825 degrees awarded), followed by Mechanical Engineering (182 degrees) and General Computer & Information Sciences (172 degrees).

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 (1,543 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (133 degrees), and Legal (185 degrees).

Workforce

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 (781,799 people), Other managers (576,852 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (334,464 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (327,166 people), and Civil engineers (238,435 people).

The most specialized majors at Northeastern University are Engineering (1,543 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (133 degrees), Legal (185 degrees), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (557 degrees), and Social Sciences (526 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

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 Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Physicians

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 (955,955 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (569,811 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (424,885 people), Construction (362,636 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (359,697 people).

Degrees

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

General Business
825 degree-majorss awarded
Mechanical Engineering
182 degree-majorss awarded
General Computer & Information Sciences
172 degree-majorss awarded

In 2017, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Northeastern University was General Business with 825 degree-majorss awarded.

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

Gender Breakdown for Common Majors

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,332
3,320

In 2017, 3,332 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University, which is 1 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,320).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2017, 565 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University in General Business, which is 1.28 times more than the 442 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2017, 442 degrees were awarded to women at Northeastern University in General Business, which is 0.782 times less than the 565 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

100% Completion Time

84%

150% Completion Time

In 2017, 0% of students graduating from Northeastern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 84% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 85% 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.

Diversity

Graduation Rate by Race and Gender

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Northeastern University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (68.1%).

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, 8.23% of graduates (220 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
2,808 degrees awarded
Asian
542 degrees awarded
Unknown
399 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Northeastern University is white (2,808 degrees awarded). There were 5.18 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (542 degrees).

6% of degree recipients (399 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Gender

Most Common Gender Demographic

White Female
1,484 degrees awarded
White Male
1,324 degrees awarded
Asian Female
298 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and gender grouping at Northeastern University is white female (1,484 degrees awarded). There were 1.12 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,324 degrees).

Operations

Northeastern University has an endowment valued at nearly $796M, as of the end of the 2017 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $105M (13.2%), compared to the 5.91% average return ($16.9M on $287M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2017, Northeastern University had a total salary expenditure of $1.1B. Northeastern University employs 365 Instructors, 343 Professors, and 254 Associate professors. Most academics at Northeastern University are Male Professors (250), Female Instructors(191), and Male Instructors (174).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northeastern University are: Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 537 employees, Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 461 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 449 employees.

Finances

Endowment

$796M

2017 Endowment

13.4%

growth from 2016

Northeastern University has an endowment valued at about $796M, as of the end of the 2017 fiscal year. The endowment of Northeastern University grew 13.4% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $509M 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.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$101M - Federal
$2.47M - State
$0 - Local

As of 2017, Northeastern University received $101M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $2.47M from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Expenses

Salary Expenditure

$480M

2017 Salaries

6.4%

growth from 2016

In 2017, Northeastern University paid a median of $480M in salaries, which represents 43.5% of their overall expenditure ($1.1B) and a 6.4% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 2.09% growth from 2015 and a 6.79% growth from 2014.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 215M (42.7% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$158M

Instructional Salaries

1,306

Number of Employees

In 2017, Northeastern University paid a total of $158M to 1,306 employees working as instructors, which represents 32.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $146M (22.5%) for similar Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity.

Faculty and Staff

Occupations by Share

Instructor

Most Common Instructor

365 Employees

Computer, Engineering, and Science

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

537 Employees

In 2017, the most common positions for instructional staff at Northeastern University were Instructor with 365 employees; Professor with 343 employees; and Professor with 254 employees.

In 2017, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northeastern University were Computer, Engineering, and Science with 537 employees; Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 461 employees; and Business and Financial Operations with 449 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Gender

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Female Instructor
Male Instructor

In 2017, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Northeastern University was Male Professor with 250 employees, Female Instructor with 191 employees, and Male Instructor with 174 employees.

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

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