Northeastern University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 08/2026)

Total Cost of Attendance

Northeastern University is known for its cooperative education program, which combines classroom learning and experiences to prepare students for careers in many fields. But access to this co-op style of learning doesn’t come cheap: For the 2026-27 academic year, Northeastern University’s tuition was $71,050. Contrast this against the average cost of tuition for a private four-year institution in the U.S. of $45,000 in 2025-26. The good news is that student loans and scholarships can make this price tag easier to swallow.

Financial Aid

Approximately 70% of new students receive some sort of financial aid, including student loans, grants, and scholarships. Northeastern is need-aware for international students only,, meaning international students who have financial needs will still be considered during the application process.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs, such as tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than those of private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Education Department: A site that lets you search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS): A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

While 67% of Northeastern students take out federal loans to help pay for Northeastern tuition, just 10% take out private student loans. The average amount borrowed with private loans is $55,557.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as federal loans generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

When considering colleges, it’s wise to look at the full cost of attendance for four years of education, which includes fees and room and board. The average cost for a four-year degree at a private school in the U.S., according to the Education Data Initiative, is $234,512. At Northeastern, that number is $393,288, based on 2026-27 rates.

Here’s some Massachusetts student loan and scholarship information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

For the 2026-27 academic year, students at Northeastern paid $72,700 for tuition and fees and $22,822 for room and board, for a total of $95,522 for the year. Here’s some helpful student loan and scholarship information to help you explore options for paying for Northeastern tuition.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition for graduate school at Northeastern University was $26,857 for the 2025-26 school year, with approximately $3,432 in additional fees, depending on the program. That makes the total for graduate school about $30,289. This is higher than the average annual cost of graduate school in the United States, which is $22,430 per year. There are graduate loans that can help you cover these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

If you opt to attend Northeastern on a part-time basis, you won’t pay the full-time tuition discussed above. Instead, you’ll pay about $2,220 per credit hour, based on 2026-27 pricing.

Campus Housing Expenses

First- and second-year students are required to live on campus at Northeastern. Most rooms are double or triple occupancy, though there are limited single rooms. Third-year and beyond students can opt to live off-campus. Northeastern has a site where students can find housing at reasonable rates. Keep in mind you may be required to sign a 12-month lease, even if the school year is shorter.

Find out more about the university’s housing options.

Northeastern University Acceptance Rate

With 5,920 students accepted out of the 105,257 that applied, the Northeastern acceptance rate is just 5.6% (up from last year’s 5.2%).

Admission Requirements

To be accepted as a student at Northeastern University, there are certain requirements and documentation that must come with your application.

Required:

•  Secondary GPA, school report, and transcripts

•  School counselor and teacher recommendations

•  Early Decision Agreement (if applicable)

•  $75 application fee (or fee waiver request)

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for Early Decision I is November 1, with a decision given by January 1. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 1, with a decision by March 1. The Regular Decision deadline is January 1, with a decision given by April 1. You can apply to Northeastern here.

SAT and ACT Scores

Northeastern is test optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores to be submitted with applications.

However, you may want to compare your test scores with those in the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Popular Majors at Northeastern University

Northeastern offers more than 120 majors and areas of concentration to choose from. Here are some of the most popular.

1. Business

Northeastern offers many degrees in business, including those that partner business administration with, among others:

•  Social innovation and entrepreneurship

•  Media and arts management

•  Marketing analytics

•  Health care management and consulting

•  Supply chain management

•  Business analytics

•  Corporate innovation

•  Accounting

•  Management

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 1,106

2. Computer and Information Sciences

Northeastern offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in computer science. The BS focuses on the technical aspects of the field of study, while the BA offers more flexibility for electives.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 745

3. Health and Medical Administrative Services

Graduates in the health sciences program go on to have a variety of careers in the health and medical fields. Coursework includes studying the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the liberal arts, as well as public health and health care.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 333

4. Mechanical Engineering

You can opt to study mechanical engineering, or you can combine a solid foundation in the subject with materials science, history, physics, or design.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 278

5. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics

Students at Northeastern have the option to earn either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in economics. The BA offers six core courses in economics and liberal arts courses in economic literature, economic history, the history of economic thought, and political economy. The BS covers economic development, game theory, and mathematical economics, as well as mathematics and computer science courses.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 244

6. Neuroscience

Students can opt to major in behavioral neuroscience, or combine that with design, philosophy, computer science, or data science.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 223

7. Biology

Students of biology explore the processes of life, from molecules and cells through organs and organ systems to populations, ecosystems, and evolution.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 170

8. International Business

If traveling abroad appeals to you, Northeastern offers several bachelor’s degrees in international business. You’ll have the opportunity to study in another country as well as get work experience abroad.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 129

9. Computer Engineering

Computer engineering students learn both theory and practice when it comes to hardware and software design. They also learn about computer organization and architecture, computer networks, computer-aided design, programming languages, and optimization theory.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 108

10. Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Electrical and electronics engineering students learn both theory and practice in designing and developing electrical and electronic systems. Students also gain hands-on experience applying engineering principles to technologies such as sensors, communication systems, robotics, and renewable energy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 97

To find out more about Northeastern’s academic programs, use this resource.

Graduation Rate

So how many students actually graduate from Northeastern? A high percentage, actually. For students who started in 2019, the six-year graduation rate is 91%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Students graduating from Northeastern make more than the average for four-year college graduates, which is $71,838. Instead, Northeastern students make, on average, $80,000-$89,000 a year.