Northeastern vs. Worcester State University

Northeastern University and Worcester State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northeastern University
Worcester State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 88%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Worcester State University. Average net price is $12,778 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: Northeastern 77% vs Worcester State University 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern $69,500 vs Worcester State University $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Northeastern University Worcester State University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Northeastern5.2%
Worcester State University88%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern higher
Northeastern1440-1540
Worcester State University1026-1283
Average net price
Worcester State University $21,429 less
Northeastern$34,207
Worcester State University$12,778
In-state tuition
Worcester State University $54,376 less
Northeastern$66,162
Worcester State University$11,786
Out-of-state tuition
Worcester State University $48,296 less
Northeastern$66,162
Worcester State University$17,866
Graduation rate
Northeastern +30 pts
Northeastern77%
Worcester State University47%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northeastern +$20,300
Northeastern$69,500
Worcester State University$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern 34
  • Worcester State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern A
  • Worcester State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Worcester State University Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • Worcester State University
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • Worcester State University 1026-1283
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Worcester State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern $288
  • Worcester State University $206
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • Type
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern #128
  • Worcester State University #558

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Worcester State University in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northeastern University is larger than Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 5,745 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Worcester State University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Worcester State University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 26.9% lower than at Northeastern University ($14,307 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 270.3% higher at Northeastern than at Worcester State University (about $48,296 more per year; $66,162 vs. $17,866).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester State University than at Northeastern University (80% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 432.8% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($50,421 vs. $9,464).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northeastern and Worcester State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.61 higher than at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 16.7% at Worcester State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $7,875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($206 vs. $288).
  • More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation (79% vs. 66%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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