Northeastern vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Northeastern vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Northeastern ($15,313 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 3.3% lower than at Princeton University ($19,580 vs. $20,250).
• Northeastern University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $3,474 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Northeastern than at Princeton University (about $3,474 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Northeastern University (67% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 36.3% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($68,727 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 60 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Princeton (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• Northeastern has a higher acceptance rate (5.2%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Northeastern vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $44,400 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $20,375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $211 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($77 vs. $288).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.