Northeastern University Tuition and Fees

Northeastern University Tuition and Fees

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By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 01/2025)

Total Cost of Attendance

Northeastern University is known for its Cooperative Education Program, which combines classroom learning and experiences to prepare students for careers in many fields. But access to this co-op style of learning doesn’t come cheap: In 2023-24, Northeastern University tuition was $63,141. Contrast this against the average cost of tuition for a private four-year institution in the U.S. of $41,450. The good news is that student loans and scholarships can make this price tag easier to swallow.

Costs for 2023-24

Tuition & Fees

$63,141

Books & Supplies

$1,000

Room & Board

$18,790

Other Expenses

$1,800

Total Cost of Attendance

$84,731

Financial Aid

Approximately 80% of new students receive some sort of financial aid, including student loans, grants, and scholarships. Northeastern is need-aware for international students only, meaning international students who have financial needs will still be considered during the application process.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

While 38% of Northeastern students take out federal loans to help pay for Northeastern tuition, just 6% take out private student loans. The average amount borrowed with private loans is $32,680.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

When considering colleges, it’s wise to look at the full “cost of attendance” for four years of education, which includes fees and room and board. The average cost for a four-year degree at a private school in the U.S., according to CollegeData.com, is $241,680. At Northeastern, that number is $338,924, based on 2023-24 rates.

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Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2023-24

Tuition & Fees

$63,141

Room & Board

$18,790

Total Cost of Attendance

$84,731

In 2023-24, students at Northeastern paid $63,141 for tuition and fees and $18,790 for room and board, for a total of $84,731 for the year. Here’s some helpful student loan and scholarship information to help you explore options for paying for Northeastern tuition.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2023-24

Tuition

$27,728

Fees

$372

Total Cost of Attendance

$28,100

Tuition for graduate school at Northeastern University was $27,728 for the 2023-24 school year, with an additional $372 in fees. That makes the total for graduate school $28,100. This is higher than the average annual cost of graduate school in the United States, which is $21,730 per year. There are graduate loans that can help you cover these costs.

Cost Per Credit Hour

If you opt to attend Northeastern on a part-time basis, you won’t pay the full-time tuition we’ve discussed. you’ll pay about $2,031 per credit hour, based on 2024-25 pricing.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2023-24

Student Type

On-Campus

Off-Campus

Room & Board

$18,790

$18,790

Other Expenses

$1,800

$1,800

First- and second-year students are required to live on campus at Northeastern. Most rooms are double or triple occupancy, though there are limited single rooms. Third-year and beyond students can opt to live off-campus. Northeastern has a site where students can find housing at reasonable rates. Keep in mind you may be required to sign a 12-month lease, even if the school semester is shorter.

Find out more about the university’s housing options.

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2023

Number of applications

96,631

Number accepted

5,797

Percentage Accepted

6%

With 5,797 students accepted out of the 96,631 that applied, the Northeastern acceptance rate is at an all-time low of 6% (down from last year’s 6.8%).

Admission Requirements

To be accepted as a student at Northeastern University, there are certain requirements and documentation that must come with your application.

Required:

•  Secondary GPA, school report, and transcripts

•  Recommendations

•  Early Decision Agreement (if applicable)

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for Early Decision I is November 1, with a decision given by January 1. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 1, with a decision by March 1. The Regular Decision deadline is January 1, with a decision given by April 1. You can apply to Northeastern here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Through 2026, Northeastern will not require SAT or ACT scores to be submitted with applications.

However, you may want to compare your test scores with those in the 25th and 75th percentile:

Subject

25th Percentile

75th Percentile

SAT Evidence-Based
Reading/Writing

710

760

SAT Math

750

790

ACT Composite

33

35

ACT English

33

35

ACT Math

31

35

Graduation Rate

So how many students actually graduate from Northeastern? A high percentage, actually. For students who started in 2017, the 6-year graduation rate is 90%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Students graduating from Northeastern make significantly more than the average for private four-year school students, which is $68,516. Instead, Northeastern students make, on average, $93,000 a year.

Bottom Line

Northeastern University offers a wide variety of challenging majors and opportunities that can expand your career options once you graduate. Standards for acceptance are high, but if you meet those requirements, you’ll be rewarded with a great education.

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Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd
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