Syracuse University vs Northeastern University

Syracuse University vs Northeastern University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Syracuse University and Northeastern University are both reputable American research universities but vary widely in worldwide reputation and academic ranking. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Northeastern University ranks 384th internationally, whereas Syracuse University is ranked in the 741–750 range. In the US News Global Rankings 2026, Northeastern ranks at 220th internationally, as opposed to Syracuse at 483rd. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, Northeastern University is placed in the 201–250 band, while Syracuse University appears in the 401–500 band. Northeastern is especially renowned for its high focus on cooperative education, computer science, business, health sciences, and engineering research. Syracuse boasts core strengths in communications, public affairs, architecture, and business, with a high focus on creative industries.

General Information

Northeastern University, established in 1898, is a privately funded research university in Boston, Massachusetts that educates about 27,000 students. Northeastern is well known for incorporating co-op (cooperative education) into its curriculum, allowing students to have solid industry connections and hands-on experience coupled with classroom studies.

Syracuse University, founded in 1870, is a private research institution in Syracuse, New York, with approximately 21,000 students. It provides a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and is especially renowned for communications, public affairs, architecture, and business programs.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

The acceptance rate at Northeastern University stands at 37.7%, which is moderately selective with an emphasis on academic success, leadership, and co-op potential. Syracuse University has a 42% slightly higher acceptance rate, with a moderate level of selectivity and accessibility. Both institutions evaluate candidates on the basis of academic performance, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, with Northeastern being more competitive.

Research Impact & Facilities

Northeastern University is renowned for its strong research programs, particularly in computer science, engineering, health sciences, and business analytics. Its co-op program provides rich industry affiliations, presenting students with large-scale research and work experience.

Syracuse University boasts strong research functions, specifically communications, public affairs, and architecture, with good research centers and affiliations, although its global research influence is a bit lower relative to Northeastern's wider reach.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both Northeastern and Syracuse are private colleges and tend to have higher tuition rates than public universities. Both offer diverse financial aid packages, such as merit and need scholarships, grants, and work-study, aimed at financing both domestic and foreign students' education.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Northeastern University is well respected for its career-focused philosophy, with graduates frequently obtaining strong careers in the areas of technology, business, health, and engineering, as supported by the university's co-op program. Excellent job placement and career development are facilitated by the good industry connections and international reach of Northeastern.

Syracuse University alumni perform exceptionally well in communications, public affairs, architecture, and business. Most graduates move on to media, government, nonprofit, and corporate positions, thanks to strong industry contacts and a respected alumni network.