Northeastern University is well known for its strong programs in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Business, Cybersecurity, and Information Systems. For the 2026 intake, the university primarily offers admission through Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision for undergraduate students. For graduate students, admissions are offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer intakes. Many master’s programs also follow a rolling admission system, allowing students to apply throughout the year depending on course availability.
As per the official Common Data Set (2024 - 2025), Northeastern University had an acceptance rate of approximately 5.21%, reflecting a moderately selective admission process with increasing competition among international applicants. This shows that the university carefully evaluates academic performance, profile strength, and overall application quality before offering admission.
International students are generally required to submit the following documents:
- Academic transcripts and certificates (Class 10, Class 12, or Bachelor’s degree for PG programs)
- English language proficiency test score (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo)
- Valid passport copy
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) for graduate programs
- Letters of Recommendation (mainly for PG and some UG cases)
- Updated resume or CV (mainly for postgraduate programs)
- Standardised test scores (SAT/ACT for UG optional, GRE/GMAT for selected PG programs)
- Financial documents for the visa process
After receiving the admission offer, students must confirm their seat by accepting the offer and paying the enrollment deposit. The university then guides the F-1 student visa process. Once the visa is approved, students can complete their travel and accommodation arrangements before starting their academic journey at Northeastern University.
For more information, check out the Northeastern University
- Northeastern University Admission Intakes and Deadline 2026
- Northeastern University Popular Courses and Fees 2026
- Northeastern University Acceptance Rate
- Northeastern University Admission Requirements
- Northeastern University Admission Process
- Northeastern University Admission Decision
- USA Visa Process for Indian Students
- FAQs
Northeastern University Admission Intakes and Deadline 2026
Northeastern University offers admission for undergraduate students in 4 intakes:
- Early Admission I: This intake is for students who are completely sure that Northeastern is their first choice. You apply early, and if you get admission, you must join the university. You cannot back out of the offer because it is a binding agreement.
- Early Admission II: Same as Early Admission I, but the deadlines are different.
- Early Action: In this, students are not bound, which means you can apply early and get an early decision, but you are not forced to enrol if you get selected.
- Regular decision: This is the normal and final application round. It is also not binding, and you get more time to apply, compare different universities, and then choose the best option after getting all your results.
And for graduate students, the university offers rolling admissions across three intakes: Summer, Spring, and Fall. Admission may be offered in any of these intakes, and deadlines depend entirely on the course selected by the student. Students are advised to check the course page before proceeding with the application.
| Admission Intakes | Level | Application Deadline | Decision Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | UG | 1 November, 2025 | 1 January, 2026 |
| Early Decision II | UG | 1 January, 2026 | 1 March, 2026 |
| Early Action | UG | 1 November, 2025 | 15 February, 2026 |
| Regular Decision | UG | 1 January, 2026 | 1 April, 2026 |
| Summer Intake | PG | Rolling Admission | Rolling Admission |
| Spring Intakes | PG | Rolling Admission | Rolling Admission |
| Fall Intake | PG | Rolling Admission | Rolling Admission |
Northeastern University Popular Courses and Fees 2026
Northeastern University uses a structured tuition model for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are charged a standard program tuition, while any additional courses taken beyond the regular credit load are billed separately on an hour-per-credit basis.
For undergraduate programs, the additional per-credit charge is approximately $2,125 (₹1.99 lakhs). For graduate programs, the per-credit cost typically ranges between $1,439 and $1,946 (₹1.35 - ₹1.83 lakhs).
| Course | Duration | Annual Tuition Fee in $ (USD) | Annual Tuition Fee in ₹ (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Computer Science | 2 Years | $30,000 | ₹28.22 Lakhs |
| MS Data Science | 2 Years | $30,000 | ₹28.22 Lakhs |
| MS Artificial Intelligence | 2 Years | $30,000 | ₹28.22 Lakhs |
| BS Advanced Manufacturing Systems | 4 Years | $67,990 | ₹63.97 Lakhs |
| BS Business Administration and Communication Studies | 4 Years | $67,990 | ₹63.97 Lakhs |
Note: $1 = ₹94.08 is the exchange rate used for all currency conversions in this article as of 23 April, 2026.
For more information, check out Northeastern University courses and fees
Northeastern University Acceptance Rate
The universities in the USA provide a document called the CDS (Common Data Set), which is a standardised annual report published by universities. Northeastern University also publishes its CDS data. The acceptance rate trend given below is based on this official data. The university has a very low acceptance rate, making admissions highly selective and competitive for students.
| Academic Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 5.21% |
| 2023 - 2024 | 5.64% |
| 2022 - 2023 | 6.80% |
| 2021 - 2022 | 18.37% |
| 2020 - 2021 | 20.47% |
Indian students are advised to arrange all the required documents and ensure they meet all the course requirements before applying to increase their chances of selection.
Northeastern University Admission Requirements
The university does not follow any fixed percentage requirement for either undergraduate or graduate programs. Admission criteria differ from one course to another, meaning some programs may have specific academic expectations while others are more flexible. Indian students are advised to keep all required documents ready before applying. It is also important to have English proficiency test scores prepared in advance, as they are a mandatory part of the application process.
| Requirement | Undergraduate Courses | Graduate Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Completion of Class 12 or equivalent secondary education | Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution |
| Minimum Marks Required | No Fixed Percentage required.Secondary school transcripts (Grades 9 - 12 or equivalent). | Depends on the courses.General GPA minimums: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 8.0 on a 10.0 scale, or 80 on a 100 scale |
| English Language Proficiency | IELTS Academic: 7.5 to 8.0 | Duolingo: 135 to 145 | PTE Academic: 73 to 78 | TOEFL: 106 to 113 or 4 Or 4 years of English as a consecutive subject. |
IELTS Academic: 6.5 | Duolingo: 105 | PTE Academic: 53| TOEFL: 4 |
| Standardized Tests | SAT/ACT optional (test-optional policy) | GRE/GMAT required or optional, depending on the program |
| Application Platform | Common Application or Coalition Application | Northeastern University Graduate Application Portal |
| Documents Required | Academic transcript, SOP, LORs, English Proficiency, and a copy of the passport. | Academic transcript, SOP, LORs, English Proficiency, CV/Resume, and a copy of the passport. |
Note: Students also need to pay an application fee of $75 (₹7,056) while submitting the application.
For more information, check out the Study in the USA requirements
Northeastern University Admission Process
Students applying for undergraduate or postgraduate programs must carefully follow the official application steps and ensure all requirements are completed before submitting their application.
- Indian students must apply through the official platforms: Common Application or Coalition Application (UG) and the Northeastern Graduate Application Portal (PG).
- Applicants must submit academic transcripts.
- English proficiency test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo are mandatory unless a waiver is granted.
- UG applicants may submit SAT/ACT scores (optional), while PG applicants may need GRE/GMAT, depending on the course.
- Additional documents include Statement of Purpose (for PG), personal essay (for UG), Letters of Recommendation, and resume/CV (mainly for PG).
- Students must also provide financial proof for visa processing after receiving admission.
The admission process is competitive due to the university’s selective acceptance rate of around 19.17%. Therefore, Indian students are advised to prepare all documents in advance and ensure strong academic performance along with a well-prepared application profile.
For more information, check out how to apply to US universities
Northeastern University Admission Decision
For Northeastern University, the admission decision timeline depends on the application type. For undergraduate applicants using the Common Application or Coalition Application, Early Decision and Early Action results are usually released within a few months after the deadline, while Regular Decision applicants typically receive their admission decision within 6 - 8 weeks after the January deadline.
For postgraduate applicants, the Northeastern Graduate Application Portal follows a rolling admission system in many programs, meaning decisions are generally released within 4 - 6 weeks after submitting a complete application, depending on the course and department. Overall, the full application-to-decision process can take anywhere from one to three months, depending on the intake and program selected.
USA Visa Process for Indian Students
Indian students who wish to study in the United States must apply for an F-1 student visa, which is the most common visa type for academic programs at universities such as Northeastern University.
- First, students must receive an official admission offer (I-20 form) from a SEVP-approved U.S. university. After receiving the I-20, students need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 (₹32,928). This fee is mandatory to register in the U.S. immigration system.
- Next, students must complete the DS-160 visa application form online and pay the F-1 visa application fee of $185 (₹17,404). After payment, students schedule their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India.
- Students are required to attend a visa interview, where they must present documents such as the I-20 form, passport, proof of financial support, academic records, and standardised test scores. The visa officer assesses whether the student has genuine academic intent and sufficient financial support.
The visa process is highly document-driven, and students must clearly demonstrate their ability to cover tuition and living expenses in the U.S. Strong academic records, proper financial documentation, and clear study intentions significantly improve their chances of approval. Overall, careful preparation is essential for Indian students applying for a U.S. student visa.
For more information, check out the US visa requirements
Northeastern University follows a highly structured and competitive admission system with multiple intakes for UG and rolling admissions for PG programs. Undergraduate applicants can apply through Early Decision I & II, Early Action, or Regular Decision, while postgraduate students can apply in Fall, Spring, or Summer intakes, depending on their chosen course.
The university remains selective with an acceptance rate of around 5.21%, and both academic performance and English proficiency play an important role in admissions. Tuition fees are significant, with UG costing around $67,990 (₹63.97 Lakhs) and graduate programs averaging $30,000 (₹28.22 Lakhs) annually, along with additional living expenses of nearly $23,700 - 24,848 (₹22 - 23 Lakhs) per year.
Overall, students who plan early, prepare strong academic documents, and meet all requirements have a better chance of securing admission to Northeastern University.
FAQs
Ques. What is the acceptance rate of Northeastern University?
Ans. The acceptance rate is approximately 5.21% based on official Common Data Set statistics.
Ques. Can students work while studying at Northeastern University?
Ans. Yes, international students can work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions under visa regulations.
Ques. Is the GRE required for master’s programs at Northeastern University?
Ans. GRE requirements depend on the program; some require it, while many are optional.
College Student Profiles
Northeastern University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MS Computer Science 2 years | USD 30,000 /Yr | 100 | GPA 3.0 , TOEFL- 90, IELTS - 6.5, | ||
MS Data Science 2 years | USD 30,000 /Yr | 100 | GPA 3.0 , TOEFL- 4.5, IELTS - 6.5, | ||
M.S Artificial Intelligence 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Nov 2026) | USD 3,000 /Yr | 100 | ELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 4.5 | |
MS Cybersecurity 2 years | USD 30,000 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0| TOEFL- 90 | IELTS- 6.5 | ||
MS Information Systems 2 years | USD 30,864 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0, TOEFL : 79, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 105 | ||
MS Business Analytics 12 months | USD 51,200 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0, TOEFL : 79, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo-105, PTE- 53 | ||
MS Project Management 18 months | Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake (6th Jul 2026) Enrollment Confirmation for Fall 2026 (20th Jul 2026) | USD 29,160 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0 , TOEFL : 79, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo-105,PTE- 53 | |
MS Biotechnology 2 years | Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Jul 2026) Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jul 2026) | USD 31,008 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0, TOEFL : 90, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo-120 ,PTE- 61 | |
| USD 30,864 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0, TOEFL : 79, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 105 | |||
| USD 30,864 /Yr | 100 | GPA: 3.0, TOEFL : 79, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 105 |
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Important Alerts
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Biotechnology Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | Closing in 29 days |
| Health Informatics Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | Closing in 13 days |
| Bioinformatics Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | Closing in 29 days |
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52 Reviews Found
Likes
- Liked the Culture and the curriculum
Dislikes
- Disliked the limited lectures
Likes
- CO-OP: It's the whole reason you go here. They basically line up real jobs for you, so you graduate with a stacked resume and actual experience. It's a massive advantage.
- PROFESSORS: A lot of the professors have actually worked in the industry. They cut the academic nonsense and teach you stuff that's actually useful for your career.
- COURSEWORK: The classes are hands-on. You build things and work on projects you can actually put on your portfolio, not just memorize a textbook.
Dislikes
- EXPENSIVE: The place costs a fortune, and living in Boston is no joke either. Co-op helps, but the price tag is still brutal.
- ON-CAMPUS JOBS: Pretty much worthless. They're hard to get, don't pay well, and everything revolves around co-op anyway.
- STRINGENT: The administration is a pain. There's a rule for everything and zero flexibility. Trying to get anything done feels like navigating a maze of red tape.
Scholarship
- The Real Story on Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Let me be completely honest about the scholarship situation because I wish someone had explained this to me before I applied.
- My Scholarship
- I received the Double Husky Scholarship, which is exclusively for Northeastern alumni. Since I did my undergrad here, I automatically qualified when I enrolled in the graduate programme. The scholarship covered 25% of my tuition, which worked out to roughly $14,250 over the entire 32-credit programme. That discount honestly made a huge difference in my decision to stay at NEU rather than exploring other schools. Without it, I probably would've looked more seriously at state schools with lower tuition.
- What My Classmates Got
- In my cohort of around 60 students, I'd say only about 10-12 people had any meaningful financial support. Most students were paying full price, which was a reality check for a lot of us.
- A couple of students landed Teaching Assistant positions, which came with a stipend of around $2,000-$3,000 per semester plus a partial tuition waiver covering maybe 25-50% of their credits. One guy I knew got a Research Assistant position working on a funded project, and his deal was even better—full tuition coverage plus a $15,000 annual stipend. But those positions are incredibly competitive and usually require you to have specific technical skills the professor needs.
- Three or four international students had external funding—government scholarships from their home countries or corporate sponsorships. One woman from India had a full scholarship from her country's education ministry. Another classmate's employer back in Brazil was covering everything because they wanted him to return with advanced management training.
- The Average Picture
- If I had to estimate, only about 15-20% of students received any aid at all. Among those who did, the average was probably around $5,000-$10,000 total for the programme—enough to help but nowhere near covering everything. The few with RA/TA positions or full external scholarships were definitely the exception, not the rule.
Likes
- Needless to say, the faculty is amazing. Almost all the faculty who taught me were passionate of their teaching and made sure we understood the concepts properly.
- There are numerous events always happening around the campus which encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Kudos to the off campus housing support which helps students feel safe while living off campus. They once came to the rescue while we were having issues with our landlord.
Dislikes
- The fees per semester was growing rapidly almost every 6 months.
- If only they considered reducing the fees to obtain OPT/Stem OPT, it'd have been great. But they keep increasing it each year.
- Any item at the the bookstore inside the campus are quite expensive.
Scholarship
- I haven't heard of scholarships for Master students as such.
- But, one of my friends is really an exceptional student who got to work under a prof and they waived off her semester fee. That's like 1% of master's students.
- And I've done TA and got paid really well.
- TAs/RAs are paid enough. And the univ even offers co-ops and part-time jobs which are sufficient enough to live in Boston.
Likes
- Free food a lot of times
- University Police Department's service dogs
- Good university infrastructure
Dislikes
- Ridiculously high university fees
- Sub standard education
- Too many students meant too much competition
Scholarship
- There are no scholarships for Master's students. Therefore, I did not receive any scholarship. You could only get a scholarship if you're a bachelor's student, which is again, too expensive.
- Nobody from my batch received any scholarship since we were all graduate students. Some people did, but they were part of a different school, so I can't really say much about them.
Likes
- There was a good enviornment many students with same career goals,, and things were pretty much streamlined, seniors were there to guide.
Dislikes
- The major drawback is also the shear number of students,, to much competition, very difficult to find an on campus job itself .
Likes
- Diversity
- Hands on approach
- University life experience
Dislikes
- It can get really cold sometimes
- Not a lot of stored nearby to get groceries from
- Lacks some subjects for the Cybersecurity master's
Scholarship
- Scholarships depend on the courses and also on your performance.
- I did not receive any scholarship, as there was no scholarship given to our program masters student.
- A definite number of scholarships could be a little difficult to give out but given WPI is a smaller school in number, they try to give out as many as they can and again, it depends on the program you choose. Undergraduates end up getting a good amount of scholarship.
Likes
- Location : Boston is a great place to start a journey in a new country. It is vibrant. You get to experience all the four seasons.
- Campus: The campus is big yet centralized. It is also modern which gives you a high class feel.
- Opportunities - Varied range of on-campus job opportunities.
Dislikes
- Weather : Boston can get real cold and that can lead to months of depressing cold days.
- Competition : Even though there are a lot of on campus job opportunities, the students strength can make getting the job very competitive.
- Expense: Northeastern, because it is a private university, is very expensive in terms of tuition fee, healthcare etc.
Scholarship
- No, I did not receive any scholarship.
- None of my classmates or people from my coursework received any scholarship that I am aware of.
- I think there is a way we can waive off subjects that we have covered in our undergrad but when it comes to scholarship the chances of getting one is very rare, in my opinion also because of the competition. I am not much aware of the average number of students receiving scholarships per year.
Likes
- The University is very diverse, and good experience I got for my course program- Biotechnology.
- The professors are experienced, knowledgeable and highly skilled.
- I also got hands-on training and attend conferences, but they take a lots of money
Dislikes
- The University is very expensive and fees per course credit increases every year.
- They don't offer any scholarships for international students.
- They never pay for Research Assistants. We volunteer in the biotech labs without any pay but we do it for our experience.
Scholarship
- No international students are offered with any scholarship. Only undergraduate students and graduate students who are US citizens get scholarship of 50%.
- None of my friends or any seniors got any scholarships from any batch. I haven't heard anything such as scholarships for us at Northeastern University. You must be a US citizen or Permanent US resident who is eligible to vote, only they get the scholarships.
Likes
- The professors at Khoury College of Computer Sciences are amazing, the way the design the course structure is was makes it better than the other departments at NEU.
- The campus is located in the prime spot of Boston city, thus making it very accessible and easy to commute.
- There are many facilities and clubs in NEU which students can take part in for extracurricular involvement.
Dislikes
- The campus is quite small (only 75-80 acres) and doesn’t have any iconic buildings, so there’s nothing we have we can flaunt about in our pictures.
- Being in Boston, the winters are very cold, with temperatures going as low as -20°C and snowing all day. Definitely not ideal if you’re not used to extreme cold.
- There are too many Indian students, which limits opportunities for learning about other communities and international networking.
Scholarship
- Yes, I received a scholarship of 1,000 dollars called the Global Learner Award. It is basically given to all the students who got an admit and have enrolled in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
- The award amount was 1,000 dollars.
- Yes, some of my batchmates received other scholarships of 5% on the total tuition fee. This is only given to students enrolled in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences and who have a very good profile.
- While I don't know the exact number of students getting scholarships each year, I can say that getting a scholarship for the Khoury College of Computer Sciences is easy, as if you have gotten into the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, that means that you are already among the top students in the university. The typical award amount is 1,000 dollars.
Likes
- Best Infrastructure
- Practical Based Learning (Code reviews, Quiz Assessments)
- Vibrant City Campus in Boston
Dislikes
- There are too many Indian students, so we get very less chances to speak with people from other ethnicities
- Boston City life is very expensive
- House searching is a tedious process
Scholarship
- At Northeastern University, scholarships are primarily awarded to undergraduate students, covering a wide array of courses. Each of these courses can offer scholarships of up to $10,000 per semester.
- Typically, more than ten students per course benefit from these scholarships. This system aims to support a diverse student body, helping to alleviate the financial burden of higher education for undergraduates. Unfortunately, these scholarships don't seem to extend as frequently to graduate programs, which might be why you didn't receive one for your course.
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