Northeastern University Oakland Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Oakland, CA
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Northeastern University Oakland Admission Overview

Northeastern University Oakland admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in California. Last year Northeastern University Oakland admitted 16.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.57 GPA (A-) and SAT 1420-1520 / ACT 32-33. Northeastern University Oakland 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 University Oakland Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

16.7%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Northeastern University Oakland

Acceptance Rate

The Northeastern University Oakland acceptance rate is 16.7%. Last year, only 3,002 of 18,030 applicants were admitted. That is the 10th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 62nd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

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

Northeastern University Oakland typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.57. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Northeastern University Oakland GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.57

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.57

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Northeastern University Oakland typically have around a 3.57 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Matching last year's 3.57 average does not by itself determine admission. Northeastern University Oakland is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #45 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Northeastern University Oakland freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 18.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 21.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 19.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Northeastern University Oakland SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1420-1520

Freshmen who sent SAT

20%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 690
  • Math 730
  • Composite 1420
SAT 25th percentile scores for Northeastern University Oakland

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 740
  • Math 780
  • Composite 1520
SAT 75th percentile scores for Northeastern University Oakland

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Northeastern University Oakland typically score around a 1470 SAT (middle 50% 1420–1520) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. Northeastern University Oakland ranks #8 in the state of California and #56 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1420 to 1520

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1420–1520 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Northeastern University Oakland 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 1470 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 Oakland
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1520+ Above 75th >28%
1470 to 1520 Avg + 17%-28%
1420 to 1470 Avg - 10%-17%
Below 1420 Below mid-50 <10%

What do these figures mean?

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

Northeastern University Oakland ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

32-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

5%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 32
  • Math 29
  • Composite 32
ACT 25th percentile scores for Northeastern University Oakland

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 32
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for Northeastern University Oakland

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Northeastern University Oakland typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 32–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Northeastern University Oakland places #9 among colleges in California and #60 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 32–33 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 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 Oakland
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
33+ Above 75th >43%
32 to 33 Avg + 17%-43%
32 to 32 Avg - 17%-17%
Below 32 Below mid-50 <17%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

54% of Northeastern University Oakland freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 27% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northeastern University Oakland students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 27%
Top 25% of class 54%
Top 50% of class 84%

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 University Oakland chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Northeastern University Oakland admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,853 8,170 18,030
Accepted 1,626 1,374 3,002
Acceptance Rate 17% 17% 17%
Enrolled 226 219 446
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 16% 15%

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

Application Requirements

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

Northeastern University Oakland 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

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

Application Fee

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

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Northeastern University Oakland
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 University Oakland is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 16.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.57 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1420-1520); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Northeastern University Oakland often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=118888.

GPA calculator: Northeastern University Oakland GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026