BU vs. Northeastern

Boston University and Northeastern University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Boston University
Northeastern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 11.1%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Northeastern 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Northeastern $69,500 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Northeastern University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
BU11.1%
Northeastern5.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern higher
BU1420-1530
Northeastern1440-1540
Average net price
BU $9,787 less
BU$24,420
Northeastern$34,207
In-state tuition
Northeastern $1,940 less
BU$68,102
Northeastern$66,162
Out-of-state tuition
Northeastern $1,940 less
BU$68,102
Northeastern$66,162
Graduation rate
BU +8 pts
BU85%
Northeastern77%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$2,500
BU$72,000
Northeastern$69,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Northeastern 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Northeastern A
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Northeastern $288
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Northeastern #128

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, MA with Northeastern University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Boston University is larger than Northeastern based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 32,553 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 2.9% lower than at Northeastern University ($19,020 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at BU than at Northeastern University (about $1,940 more per year; $68,102 vs. $66,162).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Boston University (66% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($61,848 vs. $50,421).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northeastern than at BU (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Northeastern.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at BU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, BU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($279 vs. $288).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 79%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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