Northeastern vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Cornell based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 26,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Northeastern vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Cornell? 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 Cornell University than Northeastern ($26,361 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 0.8% lower than at Northeastern University ($19,428 vs. $19,580).
• Cornell University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $3,152 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Cornell than at Northeastern University (about $3,152 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Cornell University (66% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($61,779 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern or Cornell? 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 Cornell and Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Northeastern vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and Cornell? 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $28,900 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $15,875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($124 vs. $288).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.