My colleges

BU vs Northeastern

Northeastern is harder to get into (5.6% vs 13% admitted), and students with aid paid less there on average: $29,060 vs $36,503 a year. Northeastern is due first, on Jan 1.

Highlighted = the better number: lower price or debt, higher rate or pay.

Boston University Northeastern University
Getting in
MeasureBoston UniversityNortheastern University
Admit rate 13% 5.6%
SAT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%) 1420–1510 1440–1510
ACT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%) 33–34 33–34
SAT or ACT for fall 2027 Optional Optional
Next deadline Early decision II: Jan 5 Early decision II: Jan 1
Cost
MeasureBoston UniversityNortheastern University
Sticker price per year $90,106 $88,412
Average paid after grants $36,503 $29,060
What families with aid paid, by income
MeasureBoston UniversityNortheastern University
Under $30,000 $16,336 —
$30,000–$48,000 $39,763 —
$48,000–$75,000 $52,880 $2,038
$75,000–$110,000 $70,352 $11,758
Over $110,000 $83,101 $49,705
After you start
MeasureBoston UniversityNortheastern University
Undergrads 18,248 17,326
Graduate within 6 years 90% 90%
Come back for year two 95% 97%
Median earnings 10 years after starting $89,087 $99,371
Median debt at graduation $17,500 $20,000

Highlighted only when the gap is at least 5%. "Average paid" is what students who got federal aid paid per year after grants, not a price quote. How we get our numbers

See BU See Northeastern