Northeastern vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Northeastern vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Northeastern ($23,570 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 2.1% lower than at Northeastern University ($19,174 vs. $19,580).
• University of Pennsylvania is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $2,524 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Penn than at Northeastern University (about $2,524 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at University of Pennsylvania (66% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($65,458 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 50 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Penn 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: Northeastern University 1440/1540; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• Penn has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 68% at Penn.

Northeastern vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $54,100 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $7,242 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($213 vs. $288).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.