Northeastern vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Northeastern admits 5.2% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
The more international environment is at Northeastern (13.1% international students) than Kansas (3.1%).
Average aid for an international student is $24,539 (Northeastern) and $11,164 (Kansas).
The tuition gap is $38,857 a year: $30,432 (Kansas) against $69,289.
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 93.48% acceptance). Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #301-400). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Kansas for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 93.48% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1490 vs 1190).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $62K); Northeastern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.5% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $69,289); Northeastern offers a larger average aid package ($46,555 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 22,363 |
| International students | 13.1% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 86% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Northeastern or Kansas graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Kansas?
Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Kansas?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $19,700 at Kansas.
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