Northeastern University & Boston University — Research Notes
Source: neu_bu.md
Northeastern University & Boston University — Research Notes
Northeastern University
Overview
- Location: Boston, MA (Huntington Ave campus)
- Type: Private research university, NCAA Division I (CAA / Hockey East)
- Category: elite_private — acceptance rate has plummeted to 5.6% for Class of 2029
- Signature program: Co-op (alternating semesters of work and study)
Admissions (Class of 2029 / 2024-25 cycle)
- Total applicants: 105,092 (record high, up from 98,373)
- Overall acceptance rate: 5.6% (Boston campus fall admits only)
- ED acceptance rate: ~43% (1,492 admitted from 3,466 ED applicants)
- RD acceptance rate: ~3.8%
- Early rounds: ED I (Nov 1) + EA non-restrictive (Nov 1) + ED II (Jan 1)
- Yield rate: ~54% (2,700+ enrolled from ~5,100 admits)
- Class size: ~2,760 (Boston campus fall; excludes N.U.in and Global Scholars)
- Testing policy: Test-optional
Academic Profile (admitted students)
- SAT middle 50%: 1450-1520
- ACT middle 50%: 33-35
- Avg unweighted GPA: ~3.90
- Top 10% of HS class: 69%
- Top 25% of HS class: 94%
Demographics (undergraduate)
- White: 40%, Asian: 22%, Hispanic: 11%, Black: 5%, Multiracial: 7%, International: 13%
- Women: 52%
- Black first-year enrollment dropped 35% post-SFFA
Financial Aid / Net Price (IPEDS, Title IV recipients)
| Income Bracket |
Avg Net Price |
| $0-30,000 |
$10,239 |
| $30,001-48,000 |
$12,823 |
| $48,001-75,000 |
$17,692 |
| $75,001-110,000 |
$25,744 |
| Over $110,000 |
$43,383 |
Northeastern meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Athletics
- NCAA Division I, 18 varsity sports
- 630 student-athletes (~3.6% of undergrad enrollment)
- Competes in CAA (most sports), Hockey East (hockey), EARC/EAWRC (rowing)
Simulation Notes
- The massive ED advantage (43% vs 3.8% RD) means ED multiplier should be very high (~11x in raw rate terms, though the pool quality differs)
- Suggested ED multiplier for simulation: ~3.5x (accounting for self-selection)
- 105K applicants on a 2,760 class is extreme volume — students treat NEU as an "add" application
- Co-op program is a major draw; yield is high for acceptance-rate peers because admitted students are serious
Boston University
Overview
- Location: Boston, MA (Commonwealth Ave campus along Charles River)
- Type: Private research university, NCAA Division I (Patriot League / Hockey East)
- Category: elite_private
Admissions (Class of 2029 / 2024-25 cycle)
- Total applicants: ~76,000
- Overall acceptance rate: 12.8%
- ED acceptance rate: ~28% (ED I)
- RD acceptance rate: ~10% (estimated)
- Early rounds: ED I (Nov 1) + ED II (Jan 6); NO Early Action
- Yield rate: ~27%
- Class size: 3,461
- Testing policy: Test-optional (through Fall 2028 / Spring 2029)
Academic Profile (admitted students)
- SAT middle 50%: 1430-1510
- ACT middle 50%: 32-34
- Avg unweighted GPA: ~3.89
- Top 10% of HS class: 92%
- Top 25% of HS class: 100%
Demographics (undergraduate)
- White: 33%, Asian: 16%, Hispanic: 10%, Black: 3%, Multiracial: 4%, International: 23%
- Women: 58%
- Black enrollment dropped from 9% to 3% post-SFFA (Class of 2028)
Financial Aid / Net Price (IPEDS, Title IV recipients)
| Income Bracket |
Avg Net Price |
| $0-30,000 |
$12,903 |
| $30,001-48,000 |
$13,256 |
| $48,001-75,000 |
$20,231 |
| $75,001-110,000 |
$31,075 |
| Over $110,000 |
$48,048 |
BU meets 100% demonstrated need without loans for domestic first-years. Starting 2026-27, families under $200K income cap parent contribution at $20K.
Athletics
- NCAA Division I, 24 varsity sports
- 761 student-athletes (~4.0% of undergrad enrollment)
- Competes in Patriot League (most sports), Hockey East (hockey), CAA (some)
Simulation Notes
- 59% of enrolled Class of 2029 came via ED — BU heavily rewards ED commitment
- Suggested ED multiplier: ~2.5x
- No EA option pushes strategic applicants to ED or RD only
- Lower yield (27%) compared to peers reflects strong cross-admit competition with NEU, BC, NYU
- BU's 92% top-decile stat is very high, suggesting strong academic self-selection despite 12.8% rate
Sources
- Northeastern CDS 2024-25 (uds.northeastern.edu)
- BU CDS 2024-25 (bu.edu/asir)
- College Factual (IPEDS net price data)
- CollegeSimply, PrepScholar, Empowerly, NextGenAdmit
- Huntington News (NEU acceptance rate reporting)
- NCES/IPEDS institutional data