Babson vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Northeastern University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Babson vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson or Northeastern? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Babson College than Northeastern ($32,019 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 9.1% lower than at Babson College ($19,580 vs. $21,550).
• Northeastern University is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $9,010 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at Northeastern than at Babson College (about $9,010 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Babson College (66% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($50,421 vs. $48,173).

Babson vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson or Northeastern? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northeastern and Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 30 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Babson vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson and Northeastern? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Babson College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $39,000 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Babson College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Babson graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($268 vs. $288).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.