Northeastern University Invests Massive $470M In Financial Aid, Welcomes Talented And Diverse 5-year class

This fall, the university welcomed 2,775 first-year undergraduate students to its Boston campus. They hail from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Northeastern University’s incoming freshman class is a diverse and academically gifted group, eager to engage in global experiential learning.

This fall, the university welcomed 2,775 first-year undergraduate students to its Boston campus, representing all 50 states and over a hundred countries.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, Northeastern is making a historic investment of $ 470 million in financial aid, affirming its dedication to meeting the full demonstrated financial needs of all students.

Since the 2015-16 academic year, the university has successfully met the financial needs of every freshman and transfer student, according to Satyajit Dattagupta, the chief enrollment officer and executive vice chancellor.

Currently, 61% of undergraduate students at Northeastern benefit from financial aid, which includes both merit scholarships and need-based grants. The average annual net price for enrollment stands at $ 28,521.

Average undergraduate debt has decreased by 34%

Thanks to a consistent rise in financial aid, the average debt incurred by graduates from Northeastern University has fallen by 34% over the last decade.

Demonstrated financial need is defined as the difference between the total cost of attendance and a student’s expected family contribution, or financial capability. This need is assessed based on various factors, including family income, after a student submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Our primary goal has always been to attract students from diverse backgrounds,” says Dattagupta. “Our admissions process emphasizes qualities beyond just academic performance.”

Among first-year U.S. students enrolling at the Boston campus, 19% qualify for the Pell Grant, a federal program that offers financial aid to low-income students.

Additionally, Northeastern provides coverage through the Northeastern Promise, ensuring eight semesters of funding for students receiving need-based financial aid. Under this promise, need-based grants automatically increase along with tuition and are guaranteed not to decrease.

Meanwhile, the number of applicants is increasing rapidly. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Northeastern received a record 98,373 undergraduate applications, a significant rise from 26,400 in 2006.

While standardized test scores are optional, the average two-part SAT score for the Class of 2028 is 1490—up 260 points from 2006’s average of 1230. The average high school GPA has also reached 4.3.

Additionally, one-third of the enrolled first-year students applied for a combined major, as Northeastern now offers over 270 hybrid degree programs that encourage interdisciplinary exploration.

Opportunities beyond the classroom

When reviewing applicants, the university considers various factors, including their motivation to pursue experiences outside of traditional academics, Dattagupta notes.

For instance, Northeastern students engage in experiential learning opportunities across 148 countries on all seven continents, holding full-time co-op positions in various sectors, from small startups to large multinational firms.

Experiential learning opportunities at Northeastern also encompass educational programs like the faculty-led Dialogue of Civilizations.

Thanks to their extensive experiences, Northeastern students have a competitive edge in the job and graduate school markets: 93% secure full-time employment or enroll in graduate programs within nine months of graduation, and 91% of employed graduates hold jobs related to their majors. Many also receive job offers from their co-op employers before they graduate.

Demographic diversity in the first-year class

The incoming cohort of undergraduate students at the Boston campus is notably diverse, with 49.25% identifying as non-white. This comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling prohibiting the consideration of race in college admissions.

Among first-year students, 5.1% identify as Black, 5.3% as multiracial, 13.3% as Hispanic, 0.35% as Native American, and 25.2% as Asian American.

Northeastern’s global network allows undergraduates to begin their studies at campuses in London and Oakland, as well as other international locations.

This fall, 635 first-year undergraduate students are studying in London, while 460 are at the Oakland campus. Additionally, 703 students enrolled as Global Scholars will spend one semester in London and another in Oakland.

The N.U.in program includes 1,537 students who will start their studies at Northeastern by spending their first semesters in countries such as France, Germany, Greece, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, or Spain.