Georgetown vs Northeastern

Georgetown University and Northeastern University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Georgetown, a private research university rooted in Jesuit tradition, boasts a lower acceptance rate (14.1%) compared to Northeastern's 28.4%. While Georgetown excels in majors like International Relations and Political Science, Northeastern shines in fields such as Computer Science and Engineering. Their student bodies reflect diverse backgrounds, with Northeastern having a slightly larger international student population. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Georgetown at 94% and Northeastern at 88%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Georgetown University logo

Georgetown University

Northeastern University logo

Northeastern University

Overview

Location Washington, District of Columbia Boston, Massachusetts
Campus setting City: Large City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 98.0% 97.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation Catholic

Admission

Acceptance rate 12.0% 18.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $90
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $75
SAT range 1410 - 1550 1430 - 1550
ACT range 32 - 35 33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score 64.0% 28.0%
Students submitting ACT score 38.0% 14.0%
Total number of applicants 27,629 75,244
Total number of admissions given out 3,311 13,829
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,585 4,504
Yield rate 47.9% 32.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $81,515 $78,202
Average net price $23,049 $38,927
Tuition $59,784 $56,500
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,802

Meal plan: $7,120
Room/dormitory: $9,900

Meal plan: $7,910
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

42.0%
Average amount $36,711
80.0%
Average amount $36,308
Students receiving federal student loan 20.0%
Average amount $3,246
44.0%
Average amount $5,154
Students taking out private loans 3.0%
Average amount $34,459
5.0%
Average amount $28,495

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 7,598
Men 42.8% Women 57.2%
15,747
Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students 13,337
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
12,420
Men 52.1% Women 47.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 97.4% N/A
International students 16.7% 34.0%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity 5,571 10,481
First year students are required to live on campus? Yes No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New York California Maryland New Jersey Virginia New York New Jersey Connecticut California Texas

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Legal Profession
  • Health Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 95.2% 90.6%
Dropout rate 4.4% 5.1%
Transferred out N/A 3.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $131,589
  • Year 2: $127,040
  • Year 3: $139,178
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $165,914
  • Year 2: $119,805
  • Year 3: $129,874
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $109,015
  • Year 2: $118,650
  • Year 3: $124,664
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $104,741
  • Year 2: $96,183
  • Year 3: $117,331
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,843
  • Year 2: $97,367
  • Year 3: $114,961
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $77,441
  • Year 2: $77,715
  • Year 3: $112,359
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $84,438
  • Year 2: $85,538
  • Year 3: $107,054
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $93,493
  • Year 2: $88,639
  • Year 3: $106,148
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $104,783
  • Year 2: $100,876
  • Year 3: $103,046
Statistics (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,445
  • Year 2: $90,856
  • Year 3: $102,592
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $77,157
  • Year 2: $102,123
  • Year 3: $124,358
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $103,863
  • Year 2: $100,518
  • Year 3: $122,957
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $113,631
  • Year 2: $110,878
  • Year 3: $121,357
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,065
  • Year 2: $101,072
  • Year 3: $110,392
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $95,288
  • Year 2: $89,413
  • Year 3: $108,000
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $104,196
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,801
  • Year 2: $89,415
  • Year 3: $103,529
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,777
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $102,904
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,529
  • Year 2: $89,564
  • Year 3: $99,566
Biotechnology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,825
  • Year 2: $80,556
  • Year 3: $98,428

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the key academic differences between Georgetown University and Northeastern University?

    Georgetown University is renowned for its strong programs in international relations, law, and public policy, often emphasizing a more theoretical and research-oriented approach. Northeastern University is distinguished by its emphasis on experiential learning, particularly through its renowned co-op program, which integrates practical work experience into the curriculum across various fields, including engineering, business, and health sciences. Georgetown generally has a more traditional academic structure, while Northeastern offers more flexibility in terms of program design and interdisciplinary studies.

  • How does the campus environment differ between Georgetown and Northeastern?

    Georgetown University boasts a historic, picturesque campus located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., offering easy access to political and cultural institutions. Northeastern University is situated in the heart of Boston, providing a vibrant urban environment with a strong sense of community and access to a wide range of cultural and professional opportunities. Georgetown's campus is more self-contained, while Northeastern's campus is integrated into the city.

  • What are the strengths of Georgetown's programs?

    Georgetown excels in international relations, law, government, and foreign service. Its School of Foreign Service is highly regarded, and its location in Washington, D.C., provides unparalleled access to internships and career opportunities in these fields. The university also has strong programs in business, medicine, and the humanities.

  • What are the strengths of Northeastern's programs?

    Northeastern is particularly strong in engineering, computer science, business, health sciences, and the arts. Its co-op program is a major draw, providing students with valuable work experience and industry connections. The university also has a growing reputation in areas like data science and cybersecurity.

  • How does the cost of attendance compare between Georgetown and Northeastern?

    Both Georgetown and Northeastern are private universities with relatively high tuition costs. However, the total cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, can vary slightly. Financial aid packages and scholarships are available at both institutions to help offset these costs. It's recommended to check the specific financial aid information on each university's website for the most up-to-date details.

  • What is the student life like at Georgetown?

    Georgetown offers a vibrant student life with a strong emphasis on campus traditions, political engagement, and social activities. Students are actively involved in clubs, organizations, and events, and the university's location in D.C. provides access to a wide range of cultural and social experiences. The campus culture is often described as intellectually stimulating and socially active.

  • What is the student life like at Northeastern?

    Northeastern's student life is characterized by a diverse and active community. The university offers a wide array of clubs, organizations, and events, and its location in Boston provides access to a rich cultural and social scene. The co-op program also significantly shapes student life, as students are often working and living in different locations during their co-op experiences, adding to the diversity of the student experience.

  • How does the career placement process differ between the two universities?

    Georgetown's career services often focus on providing students with opportunities in government, international organizations, law, and related fields, leveraging its location in Washington, D.C. Northeastern's career services are heavily focused on facilitating the co-op program, providing students with career counseling, resume workshops, and connections to employers across various industries. Northeastern's co-op program provides a significant advantage in terms of practical work experience and industry connections.

  • Which university is better for students interested in international opportunities?

    Both universities offer strong international opportunities. Georgetown, with its School of Foreign Service and location in D.C., provides excellent access to international organizations and government agencies. Northeastern's co-op program allows students to work internationally, and the university has a strong network of partner institutions for study abroad programs. However, Georgetown's focus on international relations might give it a slight edge for students specifically interested in that field.

  • How selective are Georgetown and Northeastern in their admissions processes?

    Both Georgetown and Northeastern are highly selective universities. They both consider a wide range of factors in their admissions decisions, including academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Acceptance rates are relatively low at both institutions, indicating a competitive applicant pool.

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