See what Students are Posting about Northeastern University

Urban Location

Boston's urban environment is cited as a major advantage. Students appreciate access to internships, job opportunities, cultural experiences, and networking events within the city.

Some caution that students must be proactive in building social circles and taking advantage of what the city offers, as the experience is less campus-contained than at more suburban universities.

Special Programs

The Honors Program and specific scholars' tracks are discussed positively. Students admitted into these programs highlight better advising, housing, and enrichment opportunities, making Northeastern more competitive against higher-ranked alternatives.

Campus Structure Concerns

Concerns about programs like NU.in and the Oakland campus placement are common. Some students express frustration about the uncertainty of initial campus assignments, feeling it detracts from the traditional college experience they expect.

Others note that Boston students enjoy a stronger on-campus culture but caution that newer pathways and expansion plans make the experience less predictable than at peer schools.

Co-Op Opportunities

Northeastern's co-op program is widely viewed as its defining strength. Students emphasize that co-op experiences significantly improve job prospects and internships, especially for business, computer science, health sciences, and engineering majors.

Many cite the chance to graduate with real-world experience as the primary reason to choose Northeastern over other similarly ranked schools.

CS and Business

Northeastern's programs in computer science, engineering, business, and health sciences are frequently praised. Students interested in tech, consulting, healthcare, and business fields feel Northeastern positions them well for internships and job placement.

Co-op access is particularly important for students targeting top firms and graduate programs.

Social Life

Social life at Northeastern is often described as urban and more independent compared to schools with traditional campus cultures. Students highlight the active Boston setting but note that the student body can feel transient due to co-op schedules.

Some prospective students value this independence and flexibility, while others prefer a more cohesive, traditional four-year college social structure.

Prestige Comparisons

Students regularly compare Northeastern's academic reputation to Tufts, BU, NYU, and Emory. While Northeastern is recognized for rapid growth in prestige, some posts reflect hesitation about how it is perceived by employers and graduate schools compared to older, more established private universities.

Discussions suggest that for career-oriented students, co-op experience can sometimes outweigh pure prestige differences when evaluating long-term outcomes.

Cost and Aid

High tuition and variable financial aid offers are major decision factors. Students highlight that while merit scholarships are sometimes available, total cost often remains high compared to in-state publics or even peer private schools.

Cost-benefit calculations often involve weighing the value of the co-op model against potentially heavy student debt.