University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 15,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts Boston than Northeastern ($17,768 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Boston are 2.3% lower than at Northeastern University ($19,128 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 315.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $50,254 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.5% higher at Northeastern than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $28,037 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Northeastern University (88% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 259.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($50,421 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 310 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston 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).

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $5,815 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($228 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 58%)

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.