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Northeastern University, Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

Type : Private

Founded : 1898

QS Rank : 396

About University

Northeastern University is a renowned private university founded in the year 1898, located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Northeastern University, one of the most prominent universities globally, attracts students from all over the world who are looking for a high-quality education with valuable experiences.​

Northeastern has once again ranked among the top choices for international students, with over 11,800 international students. The Boston campus is the university’s flagship, situated in an urban environment. It consists of multiple colleges and schools.​

Renowned professors at the university provide each student with individual care. Highly qualified in their disciplines, the majority of the faculty members bring practical knowledge and innovative studies to the classroom. Northeastern University provides a wealth of resources to ease the transition and make the time spent there valuable for students from other countries. With students from more than 147 nations around the world, our diverse student body creates a genuinely global learning environment where a range of perspectives enriches discussions in class and campus life.

Northeastern University Rankings (2025)

🚀 Northeastern University is ranked #54 among National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. ​

🚀 The 2025 QS World University Rankings place Northeastern University at #396 globally. ​

🚀 According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, Northeastern University is placed in the 201–250 bracket globally.

Admissions

International applicants are most welcome at Northeastern University through an effective admissions process designed to find talented and motivated students. Graduate admissions at the institution are highly competitive, with a focus on academic achievement, research potential, and work experience.​

Required Application Materials

✏️ Fill out the online application on the website – https://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/

✏️ Application fee – $75 – $100 USD

✏️ Transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0

✏️ A three or four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

✏️ GRE/GMAT – Depending on the program

✏️ English Proficiency Test Scores

🎯 TOEFL iBT – 95
🎯 IELTS – 7.5
🎯 Duolingo – 105
🎯 PTE – 60

✏️ Recommendation letters (LOR) from academic or professional references

✏️ Statement of purpose (SOP) outlining your academic interests, career goals, and reasons for choosing Northeastern University

✏️ Detailed resume showcasing academic achievements, work experience, and relevant skills

✏️ More materials like portfolios, writing samples, or interviews could be needed for some programs. Before applying, confirm all requirements of your specific program.​

Cost Of Living

For international students ✈️ planning to attend Northeastern University, it is essential to understand the cost of living. You may better prepare yourself financially for your studies by using this helpful resource, which provides full details on expenses to expect while studying in Boston, Massachusetts.​

Students in Boston have plenty of alternatives that fit their budgets and lifestyles.​

🏠 Housing Options:

On-campus housing (Academic Year):

🔸 Residence Halls: $9,000 – $16,000 per academic year.
🔸 Graduate Housing: $12,000 – $18,000 per academic year.​

Off-Campus Housing (Monthly):

🔸 Studio Apartment: Approximately $1,800
🔸 1-Bedroom Apartment: Approximately $2,200
🔸 Shared Accommodation: Approximately $1,200 per person.​

The above data varies based on the location, the number of roommates, the facilities available, and the type of housing.​

💡 Utilities:

🔸 Electricity, Water, Internet: Approximately $150 per month.​

🍔 Food & Meal Expenses:

🔸 Meal Plans (On Campus): $3,500 per semester for unlimited meals in residential dining halls.
🔸 Groceries (If Cooking): Approximately $400 – $500 per month, depending on dietary habits.​

Eating Out:

🔸 Budget meal: Approximately $12 – $18
🔸 Mid-range restaurant meal: Approximately $25 – $40​

🚌 Transportation:

🔸 Student Transit Pass: MBTA (subway and bus services) is available for $340 for the whole academic year.
🔸 University Shuttle: Free for students​

🛍️ Personal & Miscellaneous Expenses:

🔸 Phone Plan: $30 – $60 per month
🔸 Personal Care: Approximately $50 per month
🔸 Clothing: Approximately $50 per month, depending on personal requirements.
🔸 Entertainment: Approximately $100 per month​

💰 Estimated Total Budget:

At Northeastern University, the majority of international students spend approximately:​
Global Scholarships

📅 $2,500 – $3,200 per month
📅 $22,500 – $28,800 per academic year​

Note: These estimates exclude tuition and fees.​

⚠️ Tip: Your budget should always include a backup for unexpected costs such as emergencies, travel, or medical bills.

Scholarships

For most international students, funding their education is a major concern. Luckily, Northeastern University provides a wide range of financial choices to help you achieve your educational goals.​

🎓 University-Wide Scholarships
The institution offers overseas graduate students a number of scholarships specifically designed for them:​

🏛️ International Scholars Award – This competitive, merit-based scholarship offers awards ranging from $10,000 to $28,000 annually for incoming first-year students who achieved exceptional academic performance.​

🏛️ CAMD Creative Leaders Scholarship – Provides full tuition coverage, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 per year, for bachelor’s degree candidates demonstrating exceptional creative leadership.​
Global Scholarships

💡 Tips for Applying

Fill out the Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) – It’s necessary to determine your eligibility for need-based grants and scholarships.​

🌐 External Funding Sources:

➡️Scholarships for International Students in USA

➡️Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Popular Master's Programs

Visa Process

A crucial first step in the journey to Northeastern University is obtaining an appropriate student visa.

To make sure your transition to studying in the USA goes smoothly, this section takes you step-by-step.

An F1visa is necessary for all international students attending US universities. There are a few things you need to do before you start your visa application.

Pre-Visa Application Requirements:

🔸University Admission: Acceptance letter from Northeastern University
🔸Pay Enrollment Deposit: Submit the required enrollment (if applicable)
🔸Financial Documentation – Provide evidence that you have enough money to pay for tuition and living expenses for a minimum of one academic year.
🔸Immigration Document: Receive your Form I-20 from Northeastern University

Step-by-Step Visa Application Process:

🔸Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
🔸Schedule your visa interview at USTravelDocs– Visa Fee 185 USD
🔸Pay your SEVIS fee ( I-901 Fee )- 350 USD
🔸Schedule your F1 visa interview

Gather Required Documentation:

🔸Passport – Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months.
🔸Visa Appointment Confirmation Page
🔸DS-160 confirmation page.
🔸Form I20
🔸SEVIS Payment Confirmation
🔸Offer Letter from Arizona State University

More documentation will be needed:

🔸Academic transcripts from previous institutions
🔸Standardized test scores ( If taken )
🔸English Proficiency Test.
🔸Evidence of ties to your home country
🔸Financial documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

The admissions procedure at Northeastern University is extremely competitive; in recent years, the acceptance rate has dropped below 7%. This indicates that only approximately 7 out of every 100 applications are accepted.
Early Decision I Deadline: November 1 | Early Decision II Deadline: January 1
Business, Health Sciences and Healthcare-related fields, Computer Science and Information Technology, Social Sciences
Northeastern University ranks #54 among National Universities (U.S. News & World Report 2025), #201–250 globally (Times Higher Education 2025), and #396 worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2025)
The co-op program, a hallmark of Northeastern, offers 6-month paid internships with 3,000+ employers like Apple and Microsoft. Over 90% of students participate, earning an average salary of $70,000/year during placements.

Contact Details

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