My colleges

Northeastern vs BU

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.

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

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 Northeastern See BU