Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Northeastern admits about 1 in 19 applicants (5.2%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 99% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (4.8% and 5.5%).
$75 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
54% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Uses a wait list; numbers not published
Applying early
Early decision: 39% admitted
1,420 of 3,672 early applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Jan 1
Second round: apply by Jan 1; decisions by Mar 1
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Feb 15
Where you stand
How Northeastern reads a record
, GPA, and tests are all very important; class rank is considered. 95% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight. Scores are optional. 24% of first-years sent an SAT and 7% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 19% whose high school reported a rank, 70% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
- High school GPA
- Required
- High school record
- Required
- Class rank
- Considered
- College-prep program
- Considered
- Recommendations
- Required
- Essay
- Required
- Legacy status
- Considered
- Work experience
- Considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- Considered
- English proficiency test
- Required
- Other tests
- Not considered
Transferring in
24% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 5.2% of first-year applicants
4,267 applied · 1,037 admitted
At least 12 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by April 1
- Spring entry: apply by October 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required of some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Required of some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 1 for fall 2024.
- The housing deposit is non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 Year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Neither requires nor recommends a set college-preparatory program.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 2) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| History | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
Recent change: Started considering legacy status in fall 2023.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2023 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.087%
- 3.75–3.998%
- 3.50–3.744%
- 3.25–3.491%
- 3.00–3.240%
- below 3.00%
The middle half had GPAs of 4.0–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | Sent test scores |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 86.8% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 8.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 3.9% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 0.7% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 0.4% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 0.2% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
70% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 92% in the top quarter, of the 19% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:Northeastern University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2023About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1490 on the SAT, 320 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2025.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Northeastern University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2025 applicants;Northeastern University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2023;Northeastern University Common Data Set 2023–24, 2023–24;Northeastern University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2024 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)