Northeastern vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Northeastern vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or RPI? 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 Northeastern University than RPI ($34,207 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 7.5% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,120 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,081 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Northeastern than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,081 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Northeastern University (95% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($50,421 vs. $43,517).

Northeastern vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern or RPI? 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 RPI and Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 50 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Northeastern vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and RPI? 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($27,500 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, RPI graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($284 vs. $288).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.