MHC vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, 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 MHC based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

MHC vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College than Northeastern ($32,526 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 0.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($19,580 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $856 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at MHC than at Northeastern University (about $856 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Northeastern University (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 4% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($52,418 vs. $50,421).

MHC vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 30 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at MHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at MHC (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

MHC vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $6,669 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($21,206 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($219 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 77%)

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.