Let’s be real. Looking at the sticker price of a private university in Boston is enough to make anyone want to close their laptop and go for a very long walk. If you’ve been looking into northeastern fees and tuition, you probably saw a number north of $90,000 and had a minor heart attack. It's a lot. Honestly, it’s a staggering amount of money. But here’s the thing: almost nobody actually pays that full "sticker price."
Education has become this weird market where the price on the tag is rarely what you hand over at the register. Northeastern is a prime example of this. They have this massive co-op program, a sprawling global network, and campuses from Oakland to London, all of which play into what you end up owing.
The Raw Numbers: Breaking Down Northeastern Fees and Tuition
If we’re looking at the 2025-2026 academic year, the baseline is high. For a standard undergraduate on the Boston or Oakland campus, the tuition alone is sitting at $67,990.
But you aren't just paying for the classes. There’s a laundry list of fees that sneak up on you. In Boston, those mandatory fees total about $1,299. If you’re at the Oakland campus, it’s slightly higher at $1,744 because of some campus-specific charges. When you add in the estimated $13,148 for housing and $8,900 for food, the "Direct Costs"—the stuff the university actually bills you for—hits roughly $91,337.
Then there are the "Indirect Costs." These are the things Northeastern doesn't bill you for directly, but you still have to pay for. Think books ($1,000), personal expenses ($900), and getting home for the holidays ($900). Total "Cost of Attendance"? You’re looking at about **$94,137** for the year.
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Why the Location Matters
Northeastern has been expanding like crazy. Your costs change depending on where you spend your first year.
- The N.U.in Program: If you spend your first semester abroad, the fall costs around $44,592. That includes a program fee that covers your housing and flight.
- London or NYC Scholars: These programs have a set annual tuition of $67,200 plus a $21,984 program fee.
- Graduate Students: This is a whole different ball game. Graduate tuition is usually billed per credit hour. For example, if you're in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, you're looking at $1,875 per credit. If you're in the School of Business, it might be around $1,884.
The Financial Aid Reality Check
Now, take a breath. Here is the part that actually matters for your bank account. Northeastern claims that about 70% of first-year students receive some form of financial aid. That includes merit scholarships and need-based grants.
They have something called the "Northeastern Promise." Basically, the university commits to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for every admitted student who is eligible for federal aid. They also promise that your need-based grant funds will increase at the same rate as tuition every year. That’s actually a pretty big deal because it prevents "bill creep" where your aid stays the same while the school gets more expensive.
Merit Scholarships: Not Just for Geniuses
You don't necessarily need a 1600 SAT to get a merit scholarship, though it certainly helps. All applicants are automatically considered for these.
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- Stamps Scholars: This is the big one. It covers the full cost of attendance plus research and travel funds.
- National Merit Finalists: If you're a finalist and name Northeastern as your first choice, you get a competitive merit award.
- Torch Scholars: This is a cool program for students who have overcome massive obstacles. It covers full tuition, fees, housing, and meals.
- Boston Public High School Scholarships: If you’re a local kid from a Boston public school, there are specific full-tuition awards.
The Co-op Factor: A Hidden Discount?
You can’t talk about northeastern fees and tuition without mentioning co-op. This is Northeastern’s bread and butter. Most students do at least one six-month stint working full-time in their field.
Here is the financial perk: You do not pay tuition while you are on co-op. You’re still a student, you still have access to the gym and the library, but you aren't sitting in a classroom, so you aren't billed for it. Most of these co-ops are paid. Many students use that money to pay for their off-campus housing or to chip away at their student loans. It doesn’t lower the price of the degree, but it significantly lowers the net cost because you're actually earning money for half the year.
The "Net Price" vs. The "Sticker Price"
To get a real sense of what you'll pay, look at the "Net Price" data. Based on recent reports, the average net price for a student at Northeastern is around $34,770.
If your family earns less than $30,000 a year, that net price often drops to under $6,000. If your family makes over $110,000, you might be looking at a net price closer to $51,000. It’s a sliding scale. This is why the sticker price is mostly a myth for anyone who isn't incredibly wealthy.
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Fees You Didn't See Coming
There are always those annoying little charges.
- International Student Fee: A one-time $450 hit for those coming from abroad.
- NUSHP (Health Plan): If you don’t have your own insurance that meets Massachusetts requirements, you’ll be charged about $2,849 a year for the school's health plan.
- Lab Fees: Taking a chemistry or studio art class? Expect an extra $100 per course.
How to Handle the Bill
If you're staring at the numbers and wondering how to make it work, you've got options. Most families don't just write a check for $45,000 every semester.
- Monthly Payment Plans: Northeastern uses Flywire to let you break the bill into smaller chunks over the course of the term.
- Federal Direct Loans: These are standard, but Northeastern’s goal is to keep you from needing too many of them. About 50% of their students graduate with zero debt.
- Work-Study: If you qualify, you can get a job on campus to cover your "walking around money."
Practical Next Steps for Families
Don't just guess. The first thing you should do is use the Northeastern Net Price Calculator. It takes about 20 minutes and requires some tax info, but it will give you a much more accurate number than any general article can.
Also, keep an eye on the deadlines. If you’re applying Early Decision I, your CSS Profile is due by November 15. If you miss those financial aid deadlines, the university isn't always forgiving, and you might end up stuck with a much higher bill than necessary.
Start by gathering your latest tax returns and a list of your assets. Running the numbers now, before the admissions letters even go out, is the only way to stay sane in this process. Reach out to the Student Financial Services office if you have weird circumstances—like a sudden job loss or medical bills—because they actually do re-evaluate aid packages for those reasons.