Northeastern
Northeastern SAT and ACT Requirements
Northeastern is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1440 to 1540 on the SAT and 33 to 35 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1440–1540
ACT middle 50%
33–35
Acceptance rate
5.2%
Northeastern SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 710 | 760 |
| Math | 730 | 780 |
| Total | 1440 | 1540 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 35 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1440: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here, and at a test-optional school you can also leave the score off.
- 1440 to 1540: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1540: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Northeastern require the SAT or ACT?
Northeastern is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Official policy: 'Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require applicants to submit standardized testing to be considered for admission.' Applicants may still submit SAT (code 3667) or ACT (code 1880); Northeastern superscores across both test types. Policy is described as continuing 'for the foreseeable future' with no announced end date or reinstatement.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1440, half scored between 1440 and 1540, and a quarter scored above 1540. A score at or above 1540 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1440 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Northeastern?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 33 to 35 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1460 to 1540.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: Northeastern admissions, verified for 2026-27.
