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