Boston university vs Northeastern — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 11.1% 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 ($66,162 vs $68,102 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 11.1% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1497 vs 1480).
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 ($66,162 vs $68,102); 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 | 11.1% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1480 | 1497 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | — |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 98,425 |
| International students | 32% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $93K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $76K | $74K |
| 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 | $68,102 | $66,162 |
| 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 11.1% 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 $68,102 per year at Boston university and $66,162 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Boston university or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1480 at Boston university and 1497 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