North carolina vs Northeastern — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 15.3% acceptance). North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $72K). North carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($41,203 vs $66,162 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 North carolina for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, lower tuition.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 15.3% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1497 vs 1439).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $72K); North carolina has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.2% vs 90.5%).
North carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($41,203 vs $66,162); Northeastern offers a larger average aid package ($46,555 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North carolina | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1439 | 1497 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 98,425 |
| International students | 9% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $93K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $69K | $74K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $41,203 | $66,162 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 100% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North carolina or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. North carolina accepts 15.3% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do North carolina or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at North carolina vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $41,203 per year at North carolina and $66,162 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for North carolina or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1439 at North carolina and 1497 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — North carolina or Northeastern?
North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North carolina vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid — North carolina or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North carolina and $46,555 at Northeastern.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern