Northeastern University is a popular, highly selective school with its flagship campus located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. Northeastern, or NU, is known for its urban campus setting, plentiful professional opportunities, and strong international presence, with 13 campuses globally that encourage students to study abroad. They are specifically known for their Cooperative Education (or “co-op”) Program, which allows students to spend a semester working full-time at a company of their choosing.
For students wondering what Northeastern is known for, the answer lies in its rigorous academics and unparalleled focus on experiential learning. With its signature co-op program and strong career preparation, Northeastern is a great choice for driven, hands-on learners. Our Northeastern deep dive is the perfect place to explore what makes the university stand out—and to help you decide if you should add Northeastern to your college list and become a Husky!
What is Northeastern Known for?
Northeastern University is a private research university located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. NU is considered a “large” university, with undergraduate enrollment tolling just shy of 19,000 students as of Fall 2024. Northeastern is home to 10 different schools and colleges that offer a combined 329 major programs ranging from Business to Health Science, Law to Education, and many more.
NU also offers a number of combined degree programs that allow students to study across different schools and colleges. Northeastern University is home of the Huskies and is an NCAA Division I school, offering 19 D1 sports. Their convenient location close to downtown Boston makes them a great fit for any student looking for a cosmopolitan college experience!
What are the most popular majors at Northeastern?
The most popular majors at Northeastern are Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Sciences:
Business
Northeastern’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business is consistently ranked as one of the top business programs in the US. Their international business and entrepreneurship programs, in particular, are both among the top ten in the country. Northeastern’s undergraduate programs allow Business students to combine their Business major with other majors across Northeastern’s other schools, making it easy to customize your educational experience to exactly what you want to study. Northeastern also boasts six Business Research Centers and conducts additional research in seven distinct academic groups.
Engineering
Northeastern’s College of Engineering is ranked 34th in the country by US News and World Report. The school offers 33 different engineering undergraduate programs and 27 PlusOne programs that allow students to complete a Bachelor and Masters degree within five years. Northeastern’s program is also very aware of the intersection between Engineering and Business; thus, they offer three special programs under the Business, Entrepreneurship and Leadership program to better understand how Engineering and Business skills can blend together to help students stand out in the workplace.
Computer Science
The Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern leads with the mindset that computer science is for everyone, wanting to maximize the power of computing for the benefit of all. That might explain why the program is ranked 30th nationally among computer science undergraduate programs!
They’ve recently added flexibility to the introductory coursework at Khoury by giving students access to an online self-assessment course that would allow some students to place out of the first introductory course based on prior knowledge. The introductory course will now be specifically designed for students without prior experience to help them acclimate and gain skills that will help them level the field with incoming students who already have prior knowledge.
Health Sciences
The Northeastern College of Science is a great place for students that are interested in pre-professional preparation for a career in the Health Sciences. Northeastern boasts a medical school acceptance rate that is about 2x the national average, and dental and PA applicants secure over 90% interview rates and acceptance rates. Every year, Northeastern hosts a Health Professions Conference that brings in seasoned healthcare professionals, Northeastern alumni, and distinguished researchers to discuss their experiences around a central theme—this past year, that theme was “The Future of Healthcare”.
What does Northeastern Look For in Applicants?
Northeastern practices a holistic admissions, meaning they consider a number of factors in their applicants, including:
Academic Achievement
Like many other schools, Northeastern looks for students that can rise to the academic challenges waiting for them at the university level. As of the last academic cycle, the middle 50% of admitted students had a 4.2–4.5 weighted GPA and either a 33–35 ACT score or 1450–1520 SAT score. Admission to NEU is highly competitive, so taking rigorous courses and earning top marks is key to presenting a competitive college application.
Leadership
Northeastern University is looking for students who are leaders, both in and outside of the classroom. One word they use to describe their student body in their marketing materials is “entrepreneurial.” While that term is often used to describe someone in the business world, it can also be used to describe someone who seeks new opportunities and takes risks. Highlighting the ways that you have led others to seek new opportunities and take risks could be a great way to stand out in the applicant pool.
Community Involvement
Northeastern wants students who will make a positive impact on their university. A robust list of extracurricular activities, or a condensed list of consistent involvement over your four years of a high school, is a great way to show the NU admissions committee that you will be an involved campus citizen. Highlighting service and community engagement you’ve been involved in will help, too!
“Worldy, Wise, Aware, Proactive”
According to the Northeastern website, they describe their ideal student as being worldly, wise, aware and proactive. Highlighting these qualities in your supplemental essays can help you stand out from other applicants. A HelloCollege essay coach can help you seamlessly integrate these key ideas into your essay!
What is Northeastern’s Acceptance Rate?
In the most recent application cycle, Northeastern had a 5% acceptance rate. This means that NU is an extremely competitive school from which to gain admission.
What Else is Northeastern Known For?
Northeastern has 13 campuses across the world, and new campus centers continue to pop up on seemingly a yearly basis. Students can take advantage of these other locations through Study Abroad programs, their “Semester In” program that allows students to swap campuses for a semester, and can conduct co-ops in other states or countries with secure housing.
FAQ
What is a “co-op” at Northeastern?
A co-op (Co-operative Education) lets students gain full-time professional experience during college, typically through a 4–6 month internship that replaces coursework. Many co-op employers later offer full-time jobs, making it a great path to post-graduation employment.
Is Northeastern test-optional?
Yes. Northeastern is currently test-optional, meaning students can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Does Northeastern track demonstrated interest?
Yes. Northeastern does track and consider level of applicant’s interest in making admissions decisions.
Does Northeastern have Early Action?
Yes. Northeastern offers Early Action, Early Decision I, and Early Decision II options.
Conclusion
Northeastern is an excellent university, particularly for students who are professionally oriented and want an international education experience. If you are interested in putting Northeastern on your college list, you’re going to need a top-notch application. The counseling team at HelloCollege. Schedule your free 45-minute consultation with our team today to figure out your best approach to gain admission to your top colleges.
