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Boston, MATest-optional~6% admit rate

Northeastern University SAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1460–1550 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT.

Admitted-student score ranges

Each bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students. Aim for the upper end to be comfortably competitive.

SAT total1460 – 1550
40080012001600

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1460 and 1550 on the SAT total.

ACT composite33 – 35
1122436

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT composite.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total14601550
ACT composite3335

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1460 SAT / 33 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1550 SAT / 35 ACT) means a quarter scored at or above it. Half of admitted students land inside the range — and students are admitted both below and above it every year, because scores are only one part of the application.

Northeastern University is test-optional

Northeastern University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1460 SAT / 33 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers about SAT and ACT scores for Northeastern University, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for Northeastern University?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Northeastern University students scored between 1460 and 1550 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1550 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1510 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.
Is a 1460 SAT good enough for Northeastern University?+
A 1460 sits at roughly the 25th percentile — about a quarter of enrolled students scored at or below it, so it is within range but on the lower end. Admitted students at that level typically stand out in other ways (grades, rigor, essays, activities). Aiming closer to 1550 gives you more margin.
What ACT score do I need for Northeastern University?+
The middle 50% of recently enrolled students scored 33–35 on the ACT. A composite around 35 would place you near the top of that range; 33 is roughly the 25th percentile.
Is Northeastern University test-optional or test-required?+
Northeastern University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1460 SAT / 33 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Similar Colleges by SAT Range

Colleges whose admitted-student SAT range is closest to Northeastern University's (1460–1550).

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME

1470–1540

Haverford College

Haverford, PA

1470–1540

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

1470–1540

Brown University

Providence, RI

1470–1550

Colby College

Waterville, ME

1470–1530

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

1480–1540

Ranked by closeness to Northeastern University’s SAT range, not by prestige or selectivity.

Know your score before you apply

See where you stand against Northeastern University's ranges today, then build a plan to close the gap. The full-length adaptive diagnostic is free — no account needed to start.

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Score ranges describe the middle 50% of Northeastern University’s admitted students (Fall 2024 entering class (CDS 2024–2025)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Northeastern remains test-optional; its overall admit rate has fallen into the single digits. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Northeastern University’s admissions office.

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