Northeastern vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Northeastern admits 5.2% of applicants, while Emory admits 10.3%.
Average aid for an international student is $54,457 (Emory) and $24,539 (Northeastern).
Ten years on, graduates of Northeastern earn noticeably more: $93K against $80K.
Students admitted to both more often choose Northeastern (53.8% enrol, against 40.4%).
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 10.29% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #101-150). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
Choose Emory for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 10.29% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $80K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 90.5%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 vs $69,289); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 34,614 |
| International students | 13.1% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 96% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Emory?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Northeastern or Emory graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Emory?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Emory?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $67,329 at Emory.
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