Boston University vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Northeastern: 5.2% against 12.8% (Boston University).
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 13.1% (Northeastern).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Boston University awards international students $56,639 on average, Northeastern awards $24,539.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Boston University lists $94,427 against $92,337 (Northeastern), but after average aid what remains is $25,031 against $45,782.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 12.83% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $83K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $71,372 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston University for: a higher world ranking, a larger aid package.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 12.83% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1490 vs 1470).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $83K); Northeastern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.5% vs 88.7%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | - |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 98,425 |
| International students | 20.1% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 92% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Boston University or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Northeastern?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $46,555 at Northeastern.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern