Northeastern vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Northeastern vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Northeastern ($18,211 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 16.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($16,436 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 639% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $57,209 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 244.5% higher at Northeastern than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $46,959 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Northeastern University (72% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 383.3% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($50,421 vs. $10,432).

Northeastern vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 210 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Northeastern vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and Purchase College? 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).

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($232 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 65%)

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.