Northeastern University Acceptance Rate 2025: What You Need to Know

Dreaming of studying at Northeastern University? With its 2025 acceptance rate plummeting to just 5.2%, securing admission is tougher than ever. International students face even stiffer competition; only 3.81% get in! Want to boost your chances? Discover the latest admission trends, GPA & SAT requirements, and tips.

Northeastern University, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Known for its strong academic programmes, particularly in fields such as engineering, business, and computer science, the university is highly sought after by students across the globe. 

If you are considering applying to Northeastern University, it is crucial to understand the university’s acceptance rate, admission trends, and what it takes to secure a spot in the incoming class. Let’s dive into the details for the 2025 admissions cycle.

Overview of Northeastern University

Northeastern University holds a significant reputation in both the academic and global community. The university has earned the following recognitions:

• Ranked #54 among National Universities.
• #104 in Best Value Schools.
• #35 for providing the Best Undergraduate Engineering Program.

The university holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), is a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education, and is classified as an R1 Doctoral University because of its exceptionally high level of research activity.

Additionally, Northeastern is known for its experiential learning opportunities, including cooperative education, student research, service learning, and global experiences. This focus on real-world learning is one of the reasons why Northeastern is considered one of the top universities for students seeking a well-rounded education.

Read: Duke Acceptance Rate: Trends and Admission Data

Northeastern University acceptance rate for 2025

For the admission cycle of 2024-2025, Northeastern University received nearly 99,000 applications. However, only around 5,000 students were selected, resulting in a very low acceptance rate of just 5.2%. This makes the university’s admissions process incredibly competitive.

The yield rate, which measures the percentage of admitted students who ultimately choose to enroll, stood at 53.8%, with over 2,700 students accepting the offer to attend the university. This indicates that while Northeastern admits a relatively small percentage of applicants, a high proportion of those admitted opt to attend.

Here is a brief comparison of the previous two years’ admissions data:

Northeastern University acceptance rate for international students

For international students, the competition is even more intense. In Fall 2024, Northeastern received 17,616 international applications but only admitted 671 students, with just 270 students enrolling. This results in an acceptance rate of just 3.81% for international applicants.

Northeastern University has a diverse international student body representing over 141 countries, and the undergraduate international enrollment stands at 3,223 students, with 15,285 graduate students from abroad.

Here’s a snapshot of the international admissions data for Fall 2024:

Northeastern University acceptance rate trends

Looking at the trend over the last few years, Northeastern has seen a sharp rise in applications but a decline in the number of students admitted. For example, in Fall 2020, the university received 64,459 applications and admitted 13,199 students, which translated to an acceptance rate of 20.4%. 

Fast forward to 2024, the number of applications has surged to 98,425, but the number of admissions has dropped significantly to 5,113, leading to an acceptance rate of just 5.2%.

Here’s how the acceptance rate has evolved over the years:

Northeastern University admission requirements for international students

You have to fulfil the university’s admission standards if you’re an international student. For undergraduate programs, you’ll need:

• Academic Transcripts for each year of school
• Evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS scores)
• ACT/SAT scores (optional, but may improve the quality of your application)
• Secondary school report
• A minimum GPA of 2.0
• Standardized test scores (for applicants who choose to submit them)

For graduate programs, the typical requirements include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Resume/CV
• English language proficiency
• GRE scores (optional for some programs)

It is advisable to check the specific course requirements on the official Northeastern University website as these may vary by program.

Northeastern University average GPA, SAT & ACT scores

Northeastern University does not provide a specific minimum requirement for GPA, SAT, or ACT scores. Nonetheless, the average scores for accepted students are as follows:

• GPA: A minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• SAT: Between 1490 and 1540
• ACT: Between 33 and 35

Having scores in or above these ranges significantly improves your chances of admission.

Tips for Securing Admission to Northeastern University

Given the competitive acceptance rate at Northeastern, here are some helpful tips to increase your chances of admission:

1. Maintain a strong GPA: Northeastern places a lot of importance on high academic standards. Maintain an excellent GPA throughout high school.
2. Prepare for standardised tests: Although the SAT/ACT are optional for some programs, submitting strong scores will definitely boost your chances of admission.
3. Get excellent letters of recommendation: Choose teachers who can vouch for your academic abilities and personal qualities.
4. Participate in extracurriculars: Northeastern values well-rounded students who excel in both academics and co-curricular activities.
5. Complete challenging high school coursework: Ensure that you have taken a rigorous high school programme to demonstrate that you are prepared for university-level work.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the acceptance rate for Northeastern University in 2025?
   Ans. The acceptance rate for Northeastern University in 2025 is 5.2%. This indicates a highly competitive admissions process, as the university received around 99,000 applications and admitted only 5,000 students.
2. How competitive is it for international students to gain admission to Northeastern University?
   Ans. It is extremely competitive for international students, with an acceptance rate of just 3.81% for the Fall 2024 cycle. Out of 17,616 international applications, only 671 students were admitted, and 270 students enrolled.
3. What are the SAT and ACT score requirements for Northeastern University?
   Ans. Northeastern University does not have a strict minimum SAT or ACT score, but the average SAT score for admitted students ranges between 1490 and 1540, and the average ACT score is between 33 and 35.
4. What GPA do I need to get into Northeastern University?
   Ans. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is typically required for admission. However, a higher GPA will enhance your chances of acceptance, as the university is very selective in its admissions process.
5. What is the yield rate at Northeastern University?
   Ans. Northeastern University has a yield rate of 53.8%, meaning that more than half of the students who are admitted choose to enroll. This suggests that the university is successful in attracting top-tier students who accept their offer of admission.

Himani Verma

Himani Verma is a seasoned content writer and SEO expert, with experience in digital media. She has held various senior writing positions at enterprises like CloudTDMS (Synthetic Data Factory), Barrownz Group, and ATZA. Himani has also been Editorial Writer at Hindustan Time, a leading Indian English language news platform. She excels in content creation, proofreading, and editing, ensuring that every piece is polished and impactful. Her expertise in crafting SEO-friendly content for multiple verticals of businesses, including technology, healthcare, finance, sports, innovation, and more.