Northeastern University is a private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of almost 16,000. The breadth of programs available at this well-known east coast university appeals to many students. There are over 90 majors and concentrations for students to study at Northeastern.
The Northeastern ranking is #44 on U.S. News’ list of best National Universities. And, with record numbers of students applying each year, the Northeastern University acceptance rate is quite selective.
In fact, the Northeastern acceptance rate is more selective now than ever before. Factors such as national ranking and number of applicants affect the Northeastern University acceptance rate. Given this private university’s high ranking, many students decide to submit applications to Northeastern. So, it’s no surprise the Northeastern acceptance rate happens to be one of the most selective in the nation.
When considering how to get into Northeastern, understanding the Northeastern acceptance rate is important. Students reviewing the Northeastern acceptance rate might also look at other prestigious universities in Boston. This big city is home to a few universities with quite selective college acceptance rates. But remember, college acceptance rates aren’t everything when it comes to choosing the best school for you.
What is the acceptance rate for Northeastern?
The Northeastern acceptance rate is 18%. The low Northeastern University acceptance rate grants it a “most selective” ranking among other universities in the nation. In the 2021 Northeastern admissions cycle (class of 2026), the Northeastern acceptance rate was the lowest it’s ever been.
What factors contributed to such a low Northeastern acceptance rate in 2022? A record large applicant pool was the biggest factor. Over 90,000 students applied for Northeastern admissions. Of those, only 6,179 were admitted.
Statistics suggest that the Northeastern University acceptance rate will remain competitive. In fall 2023, there was a record number of applicants. 96,327 students applied hoping to beat the Northeastern acceptance rate (up from 91,100 in 2022).
Is Northeastern a top tier school?
With the Northeastern University acceptance rate at 18%, it is comparable to other elite institution. In recent years, more students have opted to complete a Northeastern application. This contributes to the competitive Northeastern University acceptance rate.
However, it’s not just the acceptance rate for Northeastern that makes it a highly regarded university. Northeastern’s location in Boston provides ample opportunities that students wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Another benefit is the campus, which feels like a college town despite its urban location.
The university also has some of the best research facilities in the nation as well as a distinguished faculty. So, students will be sure to get a quality experience both in and outside of the classroom.
Northeastern application requirements
Knowing how to get into Northeastern will take more than just meeting the Northeastern requirements. Students should thoroughly understand the application process and submit a well-rounded application. By learning more about the Northeastern requirements and starting early, students can increase their admissions odds.
Students can access the Northeastern application via the Common App or Coalition App. Here are the required materials to submit with the Northeastern application:
- Official high school transcript
- One counselor recommendation
- One teacher recommendation
If applicants aren’t native English speakers, they will need to complete an English proficiency exam. Students applying to the College of Arts, Media, and Design may need to submit a creative portfolio.
What about the Northeastern SAT requirements? Well, technically, there are no Northeastern SAT requirements as the university is test-optional through 2026. While there are no official Northeastern SAT requirements, students should still submit high SAT scores if possible. Applicants should aim to fall within the 1430-1550 range in order to make their Northeastern application competitive.
For more details on the Northeastern requirements, check out the Northeastern admissions site. Students can also learn more about how admissions evaluates student applications. The admissions review process evaluates factors such as GPA, essays, and extracurriculars.
Students can check their application status after submitting all the required documents. However, all results will be released at once on the Northeastern decision date.
Does Northeastern superscore?
When considering application information and requirements, students may wonder about standardized testing. Since Northeastern University accepts standardized test scores, do they superscore? The answer is yes, Northeastern does superscore. That means that they will add together each student’s highest section scores to get their overall test score.
Northeastern University is currently a test-optional school. That means that applicants do not have to submit their standardized test scores when completing the Northeastern application. Applicants who choose not to submit their standardized test scores will not be at a disadvantage during the evaluation process. It just means admissions will have to rely more on other factors during their review process.
As we’ve seen, the Northeastern University acceptance rate is extremely selective. So, applicants should consider submitting competitive test scores. Applicants can learn more about the Northeastern test-optional policy on their website.
Northeastern Early Action Acceptance Rate
Beyond the Northeastern decision date, Early Action and Early Decision cycles can often have an impact on the admissions process. Northeastern offers several admissions deadlines: Early Action, Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision.
Students who are committed to attending Northeastern might be interested in applying Early Decision I or Early Decision II. However, note that students who apply Early Decision enter a binding agreement should they be accepted.
On the other hand, Early Action is not a binding agreement. Applicants should apply Early Action if:
- Northeastern is one of their top schools
- They want their Northeastern decision date to be sooner
- They believe they have enough time to craft a competitive application by the application deadline
When considering the Northeastern University acceptance rate, applicants might wonder if it is advantageous to apply Early Action. Will it increase an applicant’s odds of being accepted? Not necessarily.
However, according to Forbes, the 2022-2023 early round Northeastern acceptance rate was 38.9%. That’s well over the Northeastern University acceptance rate. This higher Northeastern acceptance rate is likely due to the amount of competitive and highly qualified candidates who choose to apply Early Decision or Early Action.
Students hoping to beat the Northeastern Early Action acceptance rate will need to complete their application by November 1st. The Northeastern decision date for Early Action applicants is February 1st.
Northeastern Acceptance Rate Takeaways
The Northeastern acceptance rate is among one of the most competitive in the nation. With top research facilities, experienced faculty, and a prime location, more and more students are applying to this prestigious university. More recently, the Northeastern acceptance rate hit an all-time low. And, with an influx of yearly applications, it’s unlikely to become less selective in the coming years.
College acceptance rates are important in that they can help applicants better create their college lists. Northeastern will likely be a “reach” school for most students. In order to have the best chances of gaining admission, students should start their application early. Not only that, they should aim to create the most compelling application narrative possible.
Expert guidance can make a major difference for students as they prepare to apply to Northeastern. Learn more about what it’s like to work with a CollegeAdvisor expert by scheduling a meeting here.
