Northeastern University (NEU)
Boston, Massachusetts · Updated 31 August 2026
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Tuition per year | $54,000 |
| Living costs per year | $18,000 |
| GRE | Not required |
| STEM OPT (3-year work permit) | Eligible |
| Ranking | 129.0 |
| Campus Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| University Type | Private Research University (Famous Co-op Program) |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $48,000 USD / year (~₹39.8 Lakhs) |
| In-State Rate (With TA/RA) | N/A (Private Institution) |
| Monthly Living Expenses | $1,500 - $2,000 / month |
| Off-Campus Housing Difficulty | 9.0 / 10 (High Boston Rent Market) |
| Target Admission Cutoff | 8.0+ Indian CGPA (3.4+ US WES GPA) |
Executive Summary: Why Indian Families Choose Northeastern University (NEU)
Northeastern University (NEU) located in Boston, Massachusetts is a premier choice for Indian international students seeking STEM Master's degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering.
Northeastern University (NEU) in Boston, MA is world-famous for its Signature Co-op (Cooperative Education) Program. NEU MS students complete 4 to 8 months of full-time paid corporate work experience while earning their degree.
Key Pillars for Parents and Students:
- Tech Hub & Recruiter Access: Located near Boston Tech Hub & Biotech Corridor (Amazon, HubSpot, Pfizer, Moderna, Wayfair), offering direct career fair access to top US corporate recruiters.
- Graduate Assistantship (TA/RA) Savings: While private tuition is higher ($48k/yr), NEU students earn substantial income through paid Co-op placements ($35 to $55/hour) that cover living costs and tuition.
- Off-Campus Student Housing: Boston housing is expensive. Students share apartments in Mission Hill, Allston, and Roxbury, paying $800 to $1,200/month per person.
2-Year Financial Outlay Breakdown:
| Expense Category | Annual Amount (USD) | When Do You Pay This? | Deep-Dive Playbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition | $48,000 USD / year | Semester-wise (Aug & Jan) | Total Cost Breakdown |
| In-State Tuition (With TA/RA) | N/A (Private Institution) | Semester-wise (Aug & Jan) | Assistantships Ta Ra Ga |
| Off-Campus Housing Rent | $1,500 - $2,000 / month | Monthly to Landlord | Off Campus Housing Lease |
| Health Insurance (ISO Waiver) | ~$800 / year | Annual (Waiver Approved) | Health Insurance Waiver Guide |
Admission Requirements & Application Checklist
To apply for graduate programs at Northeastern University (NEU), Indian applicants must submit:
- WES Credential Evaluation: Course-by-course transcript conversion to 4.0 US scale (WES Credential Evaluation Manual).
- GRE / GMAT Test Requirement: GRE Waived for most Khoury College MS programs (GRE GMAT Waiver Directory).
- English Language Proficiency: TOEFL iBT 100+ / IELTS 7.5 Band / Duolingo DET 130+ (TOEFL IELTS Duolingo Cutoffs).
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): Academic SOP referencing faculty research labs (Sop Lor Resume US Standards).
- Priority Application Deadline: December 15 (Fall Intake) (Priority vs Rolling Deadlines).
Top STEM Master's Programs for International Students
- MS in Computer Science (MS CS) — Khoury College of Computer Sciences; STEM
- MS in Information Systems (MS IS) — High Placement via Co-op Program
- MS in Data Analytics Engineering — STEM Designated
- MS in Cybersecurity —
Programs at Northeastern University (NEU)
| Program | Tuition per year | Living per year | Minimum GPA | IELTS | GRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Computer ScienceFall: Priority: Jan 15 | Regular: Apr 15 · Spring: Priority: Sep 15 | $54,000 | $18,000 | 8.0 CGPA or 3.2 GPA | 7.5 | Optional |
| MS in Information SystemsFall: Priority: Jan 15 | Regular: Apr 15 · Spring: Priority: Sep 15 | $54,000 | $18,000 | 7.5 CGPA or 3.0 GPA | 7 | Waived |
Common Questions (FAQs)
How does NEU Co-op work for international F-1 students?
Students use CPT work authorization to work full-time at US companies for up to 6 months per co-op block.
Which NEU campus is best?
Boston main campus is the primary choice, but regional campuses in Seattle and Silicon Valley also offer strong local tech hiring.
How much do NEU students earn during Co-op?
Co-op hourly wages range from $30 to $55/hour, allowing students to earn $20,000 to $35,000 during a 6-month placement.
Is GRE required for Khoury College at NEU?
GRE is currently waived for most Master's programs in Khoury College of Computer Sciences.