Northeastern vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Northeastern: 5.2% against 12.1% (Washington University).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Washington University awards international students $68,438 on average, Northeastern awards $24,539.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $92,337 and ends at $18,685 against $45,782 (Northeastern).
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Washington University: a midpoint of 1540 against 1490, a difference of 50 points.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 12.1% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #23). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $86K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $69,594 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 12.1% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $86K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | - | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 32,754 |
| International students | 13.1% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 95% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Northeastern or Washington University graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Washington University?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Washington University?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $75,604 at Washington University.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Northwestern
North Carolina