Northeastern vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Northeastern vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or SUNY Poly? 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute than Northeastern ($14,782 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 15.3% lower than at Northeastern University ($16,584 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 667.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $57,537 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 211.9% higher at Northeastern than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $44,947 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Northeastern University (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 503.3% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($50,421 vs. $8,357).

Northeastern vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 290 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Northeastern students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SUNY Poly - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

Northeastern vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and SUNY Poly? 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).

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than SUNY Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $11,290 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($16,585 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($171 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 63%)

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.