Northeastern Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Boston, MA
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#16 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

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Northeastern Admission Overview

Northeastern admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Northeastern admitted 5.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1440-1540 / ACT 33-35. Northeastern is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Northeastern is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/required-materials/

Northeastern Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

5.2%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Northeastern acceptance rate is 5.2%. Last year, only 5,133 of 98,425 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 9th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Northeastern and can you get accepted?

Northeastern is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 54% enrolled. That suggests Northeastern is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Northeastern GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.91*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.91*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Northeastern has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.91 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.91 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Northeastern is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.91 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Northeastern Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Northeastern University is test-optional for first-year applicants, including students at U.S. and international high schools. SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission, honors, or merit scholarships, and applicants who omit scores are not disadvantaged. If you send scores, Northeastern superscores and uses your best SAT or ACT result. You may self-report scores; official reports are required only if you enroll. Non-native English speakers still need an approved English language test or a waiver.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.northeastern.edu/application-information/required-materials/

Northeastern SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1440-1540

Freshmen who sent SAT

24%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 710
Math 730
Composite 1440

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 760
Math 780
Composite 1540

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Northeastern typically score around a 1490 SAT (middle 50% 1440–1540) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Northeastern ranks #9 in the state of Massachusetts and #44 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1440 to 1540

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1440–1540 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Northeastern is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1490 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Northeastern University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1540+	Above 75th	>9%
1490 to 1540	Avg +	5%-9%
1440 to 1490	Avg -	3%-5%
Below 1440	Below mid-50	<3%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Northeastern ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

33-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 33
Math 30
Composite 33

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 35
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Northeastern typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Northeastern places #5 among colleges in Massachusetts and #17 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Northeastern without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Northeastern University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>9%
34 to 35	Avg +	5%-9%
33 to 34	Avg -	3%-5%
Below 33	Below mid-50	<3%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

71% of Northeastern University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northeastern University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	71%
Top 25% of class	93%
Top 50% of class	99%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Northeastern chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Northeastern University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	55,719	42,678	98,425
Accepted	3,074	2,058	5,133
Acceptance Rate	6%	5%	5%
Enrolled	1,668	1,090	2,759
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	54%	53%	54%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Northeastern University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Northeastern University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northeastern University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Northeastern University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Northeastern is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 5.2% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1440-1540); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025