Northeastern vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northeastern vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis than Northeastern ($22,408 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 10.4% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($19,580 vs. $21,854).
• Northeastern University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $372 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Northeastern than at Washington University in St Louis (about $372 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Washington University in St Louis (66% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($66,080 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 50 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at WUSTL (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Northeastern vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and WUSTL ? 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).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $7,975 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($19,900 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($205 vs. $288).
• More WUSTL 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.