At $32,116/yr net price, Northeastern University graduates earn $92,538/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $58,538/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $32,116 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $128,464 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,538/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$58,538/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 90.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,900/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,383/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,482/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,109/yr |
| $110,001+ | $51,753/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $133,543 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $110,878 | $57,068 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $102,123 | $37,167 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $101,072 | $47,834 |
| Taxation. | Master | $100,518 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $97,071 | |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Master | $92,124 | $29,042 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Master | $91,744 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $89,564 | $25,002 |
The Risk Factor
90.4% of students at Northeastern University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Northeastern's financial picture is strong for a private university this expensive. A $92,538 median ten-year salary against $24,250 in median debt means you leave with less than a third of your annual pay owed, and a 90% grad rate plus a 97.5% retention rate tell you most students who start actually finish and land somewhere. Boston's tech and engineering employers, combined with Northeastern's co-op model, do a lot of the work here.
Engineering and computing are where the money is. Computer Engineering and Computer and Information Sciences both clear $89k while carrying debt near $25k, so the payoff is fast. Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering land in the low-to-mid $70s with similar debt. Physics pays $74k but carries the heaviest debt on this list, so it's a weaker deal than the engineering paths that cost about the same to finance. No humanities or social science program data is listed, so treat those majors as unknown quantities rather than assuming they match the median.
The real risk here is the sticker price at the top income tier. If your family earns over $110k, you pay $51,753 a year, which is more than five times what the lowest earners pay. That's over $200k across four years, and only the engineering and CS outcomes clearly justify it. Pick a lower-earning major at full freight and the math gets shaky.
If your family earns under $48k, Northeastern is a genuine bargain at roughly $6,000 a year. Between $48k and $75k you pay about $10,500, still reasonable. The squeeze hits the $75k-$110k band at $20k and the full-pay group hardest. Northeastern is a good financial fit if you're pursuing engineering or CS, or if you qualify for the strong low-income pricing. If you're full-pay and drawn to a major that isn't listed above, price it carefully first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northeastern University worth the high cost?
Northeastern graduates earn $92,538 annually 10 years after graduation, which is strong relative to the $32,116 annual net price. The co-op program and high job placement rates help justify costs for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Northeastern University?
Nursing programs lead at $133,543 median earnings, followed by pharmacy at $102,123 and business at $101,072. These programs offer the strongest return on investment at Northeastern.
How much student debt do Northeastern University graduates have?
Median debt is $24,250, which is manageable given graduate earnings of $92,538. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable for most programs.
Does Northeastern University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $32,116 represents significant aid from the full sticker price. However, families should expect substantial costs even with aid packages.