Northeastern University
Northeastern University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northeastern University at a Glance
Northeastern University is a private research university with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded by the Boston Young Men's Christian Association in 1898 as an all-male institute before being incorporated as Northeastern College in 1916, gaining university status in 1922.
1898
128 years old
$2.1B
$2.1 billion (2025)
38,403
2,024 undergrad · 15,947 grad
3,488
73 acres
371
Identity
How to Apply to Northeastern University
Official admissions pageNov 1 (Early Decision I)
Testing policy
Is Northeastern University Worth It?
Northeastern University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $30,915/year, it's priced 52% above average, while graduates go on to earn $92,538 — 72% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 90% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 5%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
How Northeastern University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #14 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #2 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #3 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #4 | Vanderbilt University | 100 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| #5 | University of Pennsylvania | 94 | $28,699 | $111,371 |
| #6 | Washington University in St Louis | 93 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
| #14 | Northeastern University | 68 | $30,915 | $92,538 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Northeastern University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in MA.
Best Programs at Northeastern University
The highest-earning program at Northeastern University is Computer Engineering at $88,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Services, General at $31,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Northeastern University earns $88,000, while a Human Services, General graduate earns $31,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Engineering graduates carry $28,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Human Services, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,915/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $88,000 | $88,000 | $28,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $85,800 | $85,800 | $28,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $74,600 | $74,600 | $29,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $69,600 | $69,600 | $28,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | $68,600 | $68,600 | $30,548 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,300 | $67,300 | $25,000 |
| International Business | $65,600 | $65,600 | $27,125 |
| Civil Engineering | $64,200 | $64,200 | $30,010 |
| Industrial Engineering | $64,100 | $64,100 | $26,020 |
| Mathematics | $63,700 | $63,700 | $27,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,500 | $61,500 | $23,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $60,700 | $60,700 | $26,434 |
| Economics | $56,700 | $56,700 | $26,083 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,100 | $54,100 | $29,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,500 | $53,500 | $21,875 |
| Architecture | $50,600 | $50,600 | $30,685 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $47,800 | $47,800 | $26,249 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,400 | $45,400 | $24,496 |
| Chemistry | $45,300 | $45,300 | $25,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $43,900 | $43,900 | $26,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,800 | $43,800 | $24,490 |
| Journalism | $41,600 | $41,600 | $21,901 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $40,000 | $40,000 | $25,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $39,500 | $39,500 | $25,593 |
| Biology, General | $38,100 | $38,100 | $27,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $37,600 | $37,600 | $25,399 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $37,500 | $37,500 | $25,500 |
| Psychology, General | $36,800 | $36,800 | $26,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $35,000 | $35,000 | $24,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,900 | $34,900 | $27,000 |
| Music | $32,300 | $32,300 | $26,750 |
| Sociology | $31,800 | $31,800 | $26,000 |
| Human Services, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Student Body
- 17,326 students
- Admission Rate
- 5%
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,915
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $92,538
- Median Student Debt
- $24,250