Northeastern vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Northeastern vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Northeastern ($29,981 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 6.8% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,240 vs. $19,580).
• Vassar College is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $4,868 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Vassar than at Northeastern University (about $4,868 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Vassar College (66% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 13.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($57,443 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 10 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Northeastern vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $12,095 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($163 vs. $288).
• More Vassar 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.