Northeastern University SAT & ACT Scores
Northeastern University is test-optional for students applying for fall 2027, so you can apply with or without an SAT or ACT score. Among enrolled first-years who sent scores, the middle 50% SAT range was 1440–1510, with a median of 1480, and the ACT range was 33–34. Northeastern University admitted 5.6% of 105,256 first-year applicants for its fall 2025 entering class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Northeastern University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Northeastern University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Northeastern is test-optional for fall 2027 applicants: SAT or ACT scores are considered if you send them, and applicants who apply without scores are not penalized.
Superscoring. Northeastern University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Northeastern University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Northeastern has been test-optional since students applying for fall 2021 entry. Applicants who leave scores out are not penalized, and every complete application is considered for all enrollment options, the honors program and merit scholarships. If you do send scores, you can send the SAT, the ACT or both. Northeastern superscores each test and uses only the stronger of the two. Students whose first language is not English still need an approved English test result or a waiver.
Northeastern University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1440–1510, and the median was 1480.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1440 | 1480 | 1510 |
| Reading & Writing | 710 | 730 | 750 |
| Math | 720 | 750 | 780 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 22% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
For the fall 2025 entering class, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years who reported the SAT scored 1440–1510. The 25th percentile was 1440, the median was 1480 and the 75th percentile was 1510. Section ranges were 710–750 in Reading and Writing and 720–780 in Math.
Only 22% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores. Students choose whether to send scores, so this range describes the students who chose to send them, not the whole class. Students admitted without scores are not counted at all.
Because Northeastern superscores, your best Reading and Writing and best Math scores from different test dates are combined. If your superscore is at or above 1480, it sits in the upper half of reported scores and is usually worth sending. If it is well below 1440, weigh whether the rest of your application makes a stronger case on its own.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Northeastern University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 33–34 on the ACT, with a median of 33.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | 33 | 34 |
| English | 33 | — | 35 |
| Math | 30 | — | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 6% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Among enrolled first-years who sent the ACT, the middle 50% composite was 33–34, with a median of 33. The English range was 33–35 and the Math range was 30–34. 6% of enrolled first-years submitted ACT scores, so the ACT range rests on a small group of students.
Northeastern superscores the ACT as well, and if you send both tests it uses whichever is stronger. A composite at or above 33 puts you in the upper half of enrolled ACT submitters. A composite below 33 falls in the bottom quarter of that group, and you can still apply without it.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Northeastern University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 5.6% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants105,256
- Admitted5,920
- Acceptance rate5.6%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision I and Early Decision II (binding), plus non-binding, non-restrictive Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Northeastern University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Northeastern offers two binding rounds, Early Decision I and Early Decision II, along with non-binding Early Action and Regular Decision. Early Action does not stop you from applying early to other schools.
What to aim for
A practical target for Northeastern is an SAT at or above 1510 or an ACT at or above 34. Scores at that level sit in the top quarter of enrolled students who reported them. A score near the median can still help, while a score well below the 25th percentile is often better left off at a test-optional school.
With an admit rate of 5.6%, most applicants are not admitted, and a high score guarantees nothing. Northeastern reviews the whole application, including your transcript, recommendations and essays. Since applying without scores carries no penalty, decide on scores first, then put your remaining effort into the parts of the application you can still improve.
How Northeastern University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | 5% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Duke University | 5.2% | 1550 | 1510–1570 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Vanderbilt University | 5.4% | 1530 | 1510–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Northeastern University | 5.6% | 1480 | 1440–1510 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Johns Hopkins University | 6% | — | — | 34–36 | Required |
| Dartmouth College | 6% | 1520 | 1440–1550 | 32–35 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is Northeastern University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Northeastern is test-optional for fall 2027 applicants: SAT or ACT scores are considered if you send them, and applicants who apply without scores are not penalized. Northeastern University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Northeastern University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1480 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1440–1510, so a quarter scored 1510 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern University?
A score at or above 1510 puts you in the top quarter of Northeastern University's enrolled first-years, and 1440–1510 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Northeastern University?
Northeastern University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 33–34, with a median of 33 (fall 2025 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Northeastern University's acceptance rate?
Northeastern University admitted 5.6% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (5,920 of 105,256), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Northeastern University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 22% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 6% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Northeastern University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.