Northeastern University

www.northeastern.edu/

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2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$54,360

3.7% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$37,738

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

1.52%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

20.5%

64,459 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

22,905

96.3% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

89.8%

2,640 Graduates

About

Northeastern University is a higher education institution located in Suffolk County, MA. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Northeastern University were General Business (939 degrees awarded), General Computer & Information Sciences (314 degrees), and Mechanical Engineering (250 degrees).

In 2020, 7,668 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northeastern University. 48% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 52% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,798 degrees), 3.54 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (790 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Northeastern University is $54,360, which is $25,797 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

Photo by JessT-R

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Northeastern University is $54,360, which is $25,797 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $37,738.

In 2020, 64% of undergraduate students attending Northeastern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 30% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$54,360

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Northeastern University was $54,360. The cost of tuition at Northeastern University is $25,797 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

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

Average Net Price

$37,738

2020 Value

3.45%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Northeastern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $37,738. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Northeastern University grew by 3.45%.

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

$16,930

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Northeastern University was of $16,930 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of room and board increased by 4.06% between 2019 and 2020. 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

64%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

30%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

64% of undergraduate students at Northeastern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a growth of 1.59% with respect to 2019, 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.

1.52%

2018 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Northeastern University was 1.52%, which represents 71 out of the 4656 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 64,459 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 3.53% annual growth. Out of those 64,459 applicants, 13,199 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 20.5% acceptance rate.

There were 22,905 students enrolled at Northeastern University in 2020, and 54% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Northeastern University has an overall enrollment yield of 23.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

20.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

13,199

Accepted Out of 64,459

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northeastern University was 20.5% (13,199 admissions from 64,459 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 18.1%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants grew by 3.53%, while admissions grew by 17.4%.

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

SAT Scores

54%

Submission Percentage

1,683

Scores Submitted

54% of enrolled first-time students at Northeastern University in 2020 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 22,905 students. The full-time enrollment at Northeastern University is 22,048 students and the part-time enrollment is 857. This means that 96.3% 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, 13.5% Asian, 7.29% Hispanic or Latino, 4.14% Two or More Races, 3.64% Black or African American, 0.0349% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00437% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Northeastern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (22.8%), followed by White Female (22.1%) and Asian Female (9.4%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (12.9%), followed by White Male (11.6%) and Asian Female (3.25%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

96.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northeastern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 22,905 students. The full-time enrollment at Northeastern University is 22,048 and the part-time enrollment is 857. This means that 96.3% of students enrolled at Northeastern University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.5% 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%

2020 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 (85%), 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
8,961
Asian
3,103
Hispanic or Latino
1,670

The enrolled student population at Northeastern University is 39.1% White, 13.5% Asian, 7.29% Hispanic or Latino, 4.14% Two or More Races, 3.64% Black or African American, 0.0349% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.00437% 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 50% White, 15% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.69% 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, 693 students (3.03%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 314 fewer women than men received degrees from Northeastern University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Northeastern University is white (2,798 degrees awarded). There were 3.54 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (790 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Northeastern University is General Business (939 degrees awarded), followed by General Computer & Information Sciences (314 degrees) and Mechanical Engineering (250 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 (2,435 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (80 degrees), and Legal (221 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 (779,274 people), Other managers (413,091 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (338,270 people), Civil engineers (255,054 people), and Mechanical engineers (184,400 people).

The most specialized majors at Northeastern University are Engineering (2,435 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (80 degrees), Legal (221 degrees), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (759 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (73 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

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 Surgeons, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Dentists, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

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 (867,976 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (568,074 people), Construction (319,327 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (248,504 people), and Management, scientific & technical consulting services (191,202 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

General Business
939 degree-majorss awarded
General Computer & Information Sciences
314 degree-majorss awarded
Mechanical Engineering
250 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Northeastern University was General Business with 939 degrees awarded.

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

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,991

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

3,677

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 3,991 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University, which is 1.09 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,677).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 585 degrees were awarded to men at Northeastern University in General Business, which is 1.15 times more than the 510 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 510 degrees were awarded to women at Northeastern University in General Business, which is 0.872 times less than the 585 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

100% Completion Time

88%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 0% of students graduating from Northeastern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 88% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 89% 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.

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 (72.4%).

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, 3.45% of graduates (91 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
2,798 degrees awarded
Asian
790 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
428 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Northeastern University is white (2,798 degrees awarded). There were 3.54 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (790 degrees).

4.62% of degree recipients (354 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Female
1,432 degrees awarded
White Male
1,366 degrees awarded
Asian Female
454 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Northeastern University is white female (1,432 degrees awarded). There were 1.05 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,366 degrees).

Operations

Northeastern University has an endowment valued at nearly $1.09B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $49M (4.5%), compared to the 3.43% average return ($10.5M on $307M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2020, Northeastern University had a total salary expenditure of $1.34B. Northeastern University employs 415 Professors, 406 Associate professors, and 326 Assistant professors. Most academics at Northeastern University are Male Professors (279), Male Associate professors(238), and Male Assistant professors (172).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northeastern University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 598 employees, Business and Financial Operations, with 564 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 447 employees.

Endowment

$1.09B

2020 Endowment

1.29%

growth from 2019

Northeastern University has an endowment valued at about $1.09B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Northeastern University grew 1.29% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $782M 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

$157M - Federal
$4.85M - State
$0 - Local

As of 2020, Northeastern University received $157M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $4.85M from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$582M

2020 Salaries

5.63%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Northeastern University paid a median of $582M in salaries, which represents 43.3% of their overall expenditure ($1.34B) and a 5.63% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 7.23% growth from 2018 and a 7.11% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 238M (42.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$177M

Instructional Salaries

1,399

Number of Employees

In 2020, Northeastern University paid a total of $177M to 1,399 employees working as instructors, which represents 30.4% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $70.3M (29.6%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

415 Employees

Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

598 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Northeastern University were Professor with 415 employees; Associate professor with 406 employees; and Associate professor with 326 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northeastern University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 598 employees; Business and Financial Operations with 564 employees; and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 447 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Male Assistant professor

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Northeastern University was Male Professor with 279 employees, Male Associate professor with 238 employees, and Male Assistant professor with 172 employees.

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