Head-to-head comparison
Northeastern University vs. Vanderbilt University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Northeastern or Vanderbilt harder to get into?
Northeastern is harder to get into than Vanderbilt. Northeastern's 5.2% acceptance rate is lower than Vanderbilt's 5.6%.
Which is cheaper, Northeastern or Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Vanderbilt's average net price is $15,846 vs $30,915 at Northeastern.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Northeastern graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $92,538 at Northeastern and $91,565 at Vanderbilt.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Northeastern | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1440–1540 | 1490–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,641 | $92,522 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $30,915 | $15,846 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 17,326 | 7,144 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 90.5% | 93.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $92,538 | $91,565 |
| Setting | Boston, Massachusetts | Nashville, Tennessee |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Northeastern's 5.2% acceptance rate and Vanderbilt's 5.6% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Vanderbilt draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1570 vs 1540 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Vanderbilt is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $15,069 per year, $60,276 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Northeastern is substantially larger with 17,326 undergrads vs 7,144 at Vanderbilt. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Northeastern is in Boston, Massachusetts; Vanderbilt is in Nashville, Tennessee. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Northeastern is 56.6% women, 13.6% international, and 22.3% Asian-American. Vanderbilt is 52.5% women, 11.2% international, and 18.6% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Northeastern | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 56.6% | 52.5% |
| International | 13.6% | 11.2% |
| White | 39.9% | 39.1% |
| Asian | 22.3% | 18.6% |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| Black | 5.0% | 9.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Northeastern vs. Vanderbilt?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Northeastern if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($92,538 vs $91,565)
- the co-op program that embeds students in industry for multiple semesters
Pick Vanderbilt if
- Your odds are realistic at Vanderbilt (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Vanderbilt costs $15,069 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the residential colleges on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Northeastern University
5.2% accept · Boston, Massachusetts
Full profile
Vanderbilt University
5.6% accept · Nashville, Tennessee
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.