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College comparison
Northeastern vs Penn State
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Northeastern Boston, MA |  Penn State University Park, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateNortheastern University is more selective | 5% | 61% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1440–1540 | 1240–1420 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 17,326 | 42,284 |
| Avg net price | $30,915 | $32,875 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Northeastern reports higher median earnings | $92,538 | $63,435 |
| Graduation rate | 91% | 86% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $25,000 |
| Economic mobility | 2.4% | — |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Public |
Quick answers
- Is Northeastern University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus harder to get into?
- Northeastern University is more selective: Northeastern University's acceptance rate is approximately 5% and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's is approximately 61% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Northeastern University vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1440–1540 at Northeastern University and 1240–1420 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.