Northeastern vs Virginia — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 16.8% acceptance). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 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 Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
Choose Virginia for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 16.8% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1497 vs 1480).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $87K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 90.5%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $66,162); Northeastern offers a larger average aid package ($46,555 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 16.8% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1497 | 1480 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 58,951 |
| International students | 37% | 12% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $87K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $74K | $79K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $66,162 | $59,512 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.8%.
Do Northeastern or Virginia graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $66,162 per year at Northeastern and $59,512 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1497 at Northeastern and 1480 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid — Northeastern or Virginia?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $37,123 at Virginia.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern