MIT vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, 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 MIT based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 11,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

MIT vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Northeastern ($20,996 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 3.5% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,580 vs. $20,280).
• Northeastern University is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $3,766 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Northeastern than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $3,766 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (66% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($61,734 vs. $50,421).

MIT vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 60 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming MIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Northeastern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required to be considered for admission; Northeastern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MIT students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• Northeastern has a higher acceptance rate (5.2%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

MIT vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $72,600 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $10,559 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($17,316 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($179 vs. $288).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.