More selective than 97% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
27% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 8% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Northeastern University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Northeastern University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Northeastern University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 710 | 760 |
| SAT math | 730 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1440 | 1540 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Northeastern University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 5% | 710–760 | 730–780 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 6% | 710–760 | 750–790 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Northeastern University compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Northeastern University has the 3rd-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | 4% | 98% | $19,066 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5% | 96% | $20,111 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | 5% | 91% | $30,915 |
| 4 | Williams College | 8% | 94% | $17,716 |
| 5 | Amherst College | 9% | 94% | $23,367 |
| 6 | Boston University | 11% | 89% | $24,402 |
| 7 | Tufts University | 11% | 94% | $39,998 |
| 8 | Wellesley College | 14% | 92% | $25,496 |
| 9 | Boston College | 16% | 91% | $41,704 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →
Who enrolls at Northeastern University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Northeastern University admissions questions
What is the Northeastern University acceptance rate?
Northeastern University accepts 5% of applicants, about 1 in 19. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 5,459 of 96,631 applicants were admitted.
Does Northeastern University require the SAT or ACT?
Northeastern University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 27% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern University?
The middle 50% of Northeastern University enrolled first-year students scored 1440–1540 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Northeastern University?
50% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,744 of 5,459).
Is Northeastern University getting harder to get into?
Northeastern University accepted 5% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 6% for Fall 2023.
Is Northeastern University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Northeastern University overview