Johns Hopkins vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The data does not settle this one; the gaps on the axes that matter are too small to build anything on.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Northeastern awards international students $24,539 on average, Johns Hopkins awards $16,051.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.2% and 6.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
50 points separate the SAT profiles: 1540 (Johns Hopkins) against 1490.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 6.44% acceptance). Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#17 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $88K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $69,289 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 Johns Hopkins for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 6.44% acceptance); Johns Hopkins has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $88K); Johns Hopkins has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.8% vs 90.5%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $69,289); Johns Hopkins offers a larger average aid package ($67,159 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #17 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #16 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.44% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 47% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | - |
| Number of applications | 45,895 | 98,425 |
| International students | 15.2% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 93.8% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $10,250 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,170 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,159 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 99.5% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,803 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $70 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,210 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Johns Hopkins or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Johns Hopkins or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Johns Hopkins vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Johns Hopkins or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Johns Hopkins and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Johns Hopkins or Northeastern?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #17 for Johns Hopkins vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Johns Hopkins or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $67,159 at Johns Hopkins and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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