Northeastern University is making its largest-ever investment in student support, committing a record $511 million in financial aid—not loans—for the 2025–2026 academic year. This milestone reinforces the university’s longstanding pledge to meet the full demonstrated financial need of every undergraduate student. At a time when families nationwide are scrutinizing the cost and value of higher education, Northeastern’s commitment signals both confidence in its educational model and dedication to expanding access for students across the socioeconomic spectrum.
- A Highly Competitive Incoming Class
- Experiential Learning: A Proven Path to Career Success
- Students Across a Global University System
- An Academically Exceptional Class
- A Globally Connected Student Body
- Co-op Partnerships Strengthen Year After Year
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How much financial aid is Northeastern investing for the 2025–2026 academic year?
- What percentage of Northeastern undergraduates receive financial aid?
- Why do students choose Northeastern?
- What makes Northeastern’s co-op program unique?
- How successful are Northeastern graduates in finding jobs?
- What are combined majors at Northeastern?
- How globally diverse is Northeastern’s incoming class?
- Conclusion
Today, 60.2% of Northeastern undergraduates receive financial aid, including merit scholarships and need-based grants. This robust support system continues to shape a diverse, ambitious, and academically driven student body.
A Highly Competitive Incoming Class
This fall, Northeastern welcomed one of the most accomplished freshman classes in its history. Derived from a record 105,283 applicants, the incoming cohort represents exceptional academic achievement and global diversity. According to Satyajit Dattagupta, Northeastern’s chief enrollment officer, special advisor to the president, and executive vice chancellor, students are choosing Northeastern not only for its academic reputation but also for its global experiential learning model, research opportunities, and multicampus flexibility.
One notable trend: 30% of first-year students applied to combined majors, a unique offering that merges two distinct fields—such as computer science and philosophy or game design and sociology. These interdisciplinary options reflect both student demand and the changing needs of the global workforce.
Families are increasingly seeking an education that delivers meaningful ROI, Dattagupta explains. “Students and their families are laser-focused on return on investment,” he says. “Northeastern answers that need better than any institution with its focus on academic excellence, groundbreaking research, global mobility, and experiential learning.”
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Experiential Learning: A Proven Path to Career Success
A cornerstone of Northeastern’s value proposition is its renowned cooperative education (co-op) program, which places students in full-time professional roles around the world. Each year, students participate in co-op opportunities across 158 countries and every continent—including Antarctica, gaining real-world experience that directly complements their academic coursework.
Co-op provides students with exposure to fields ranging from AI and biotechnology to sustainability, healthcare, public service, and global business. Whether working in local startups, multinational corporations, leading consumer brands, NGOs, or research labs, students often spend up to six months immersed in hands-on learning. Many graduate with as much as 18 months of professional experience, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market.
The outcomes speak for themselves:
- 96% of graduates are employed full time or enrolled in graduate school within nine months.
- 93% of employed graduates work in jobs related to their major.
- 58% receive job offers from a former co-op employer.
These numbers highlight the power of Northeastern’s experiential learning model—one that prepares students to thrive in a fast-changing global economy.
Students Across a Global University System
Northeastern’s growth as a global research university is clear in the geographic spread of its incoming class. This fall, 2,735 students began their undergraduate journey at the Boston campus. The university’s Oakland campus welcomed an additional 727 first-year students, while 812 London Scholars started their Northeastern experience in the heart of London.
A newly launched cohort of 271 NYC Scholars is spending its first year at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, following a 2024 merger between MMC and Northeastern. These students will later transition to the Boston campus.
Northeastern’s signature first-semester global pathway, the N.U.in Program, continues to draw widespread interest. This year, 1,326 students began their studies abroad, living and learning in destinations such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Greece, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.
Beyond its undergraduate network, Northeastern offers regionally aligned graduate programs and research opportunities across multiple campuses—including Arlington, Burlington, Charlotte, Miami, Nahant, Portland (Maine), Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto, and Vancouver. This interconnected system gives students and faculty unparalleled access to global opportunities, industry partnerships, and innovation ecosystems.
An Academically Exceptional Class
While Northeastern maintains a test-optional admissions policy, academic indicators remain exceptionally strong. The average SAT score for the Class of 2029 is 1480, a substantial rise from the 1230 average recorded in 2006. The average high school GPA reached 4.2, reflecting consistent academic excellence among admitted students.
Northeastern’s academic structure continues to evolve through innovation. With more than 304 combined majors, the university encourages students to explore multiple disciplines and integrate fields that traditionally sit far apart. As industries shift toward hybrid skill sets, these degrees prepare graduates to think across boundaries and lead in complex environments.
A Globally Connected Student Body
The university’s incoming class represents one of the most globally diverse in the nation. Students hail from 97 countries, bringing a rich mix of cultures, languages, and perspectives to campus life. On the Boston campus alone, first-year students represent 47 U.S. states and 75 countries.
Northeastern’s international student population remains significant, with a total of 25,042 students studying under F-1 visas or participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) this fall. These students contribute to a dynamic, multicultural learning environment that prepares all students for global citizenship.
Co-op Partnerships Strengthen Year After Year
Northeastern’s network of employer partners continues to expand, now surpassing 4,600 organizations worldwide. Each year, more than 12,000 students take on co-op positions, making the program one of the largest and most comprehensive of its kind.
Experiential learning extends beyond co-op through global initiatives such as the Dialogue of Civilizations program—faculty-led academic and cultural immersions that take students to multiple countries for intensive, hands-on learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much financial aid is Northeastern investing for the 2025–2026 academic year?
Northeastern is investing a record $511 million in financial aid, covering full demonstrated financial need for all undergraduates.
What percentage of Northeastern undergraduates receive financial aid?
Approximately 60.2% of undergraduate students receive financial aid, including merit scholarships and need-based grants.
Why do students choose Northeastern?
Students choose Northeastern for its global experiential learning model, co-op opportunities, research access, and multicampus study options.
What makes Northeastern’s co-op program unique?
The co-op program offers up to 18 months of paid, full-time work experience in 158 countries, preparing students for career success.
How successful are Northeastern graduates in finding jobs?
96% of graduates secure full-time employment or enroll in graduate school within nine months, with 93% working in fields related to their major.
What are combined majors at Northeastern?
Combined majors merge two academic fields—such as computer science and philosophy—allowing students to develop interdisciplinary expertise.
How globally diverse is Northeastern’s incoming class?
The newest class includes students from 97 countries, with many beginning their studies in Boston, Oakland, London, and additional global locations.
Conclusion
Northeastern’s historic $511 million investment in financial aid underscores the university’s commitment to expanding opportunity while delivering a world-class education grounded in experiential learning, global mobility, and academic excellence. By welcoming one of its most talented and diverse freshman classes, Northeastern continues to evolve as a global university system that prioritizes meaningful student outcomes and real-world readiness.
