Northeastern's MS in Computer Science, run through Khoury College of Computer Sciences, is one of the clearest examples of why Northeastern doesn't have a single admissions reality: while the Boston undergraduate campus has become elite-tier selective (roughly 5-6% acceptance), Khoury's graduate programs function as a genuine mass-volume pathway for international students — offered across Northeastern's unusually large multi-campus network (Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto, Vancouver, and more), each with its own admission profile and cost of living. For applicants who don't have an undergraduate CS background, Khoury's Align Program is a real, structured bridge master's specifically built for career-changers.
This guide walks through exactly what it takes to get into Northeastern's MS in Computer Science — acceptance rate realities, cost, requirements, English-test rules, and what graduates go on to do.
Acceptance Rate: What Northeastern Actually Publishes
Northeastern does not publish a specific acceptance rate for the MS in Computer Science, and it does not publish a single university-wide graduate acceptance rate at all. What we know, grounded in Northeastern's own data:
- Northeastern's undergraduate (Boston campus) acceptance rate has fallen to roughly 5-6% for recent entering classes — a figure that describes a completely different admissions process (unified first-year review) and is not a usable proxy for Khoury's graduate CS admissions.
- Northeastern's own published guidance states that its 200+ master's programs, run through Khoury College and offered across multiple campuses, admit far more students and function as the university's genuine mass-volume graduate pathway, with "meaningfully higher acceptance rates" than the undergraduate program — though Northeastern does not attach a specific percentage to that statement.
- Selectivity varies meaningfully by campus (Boston vs. Seattle vs. Silicon Valley vs. Toronto/Vancouver) for the same MS in Computer Science degree, since each site runs its own admissions review.
Bottom line: Khoury's MS in Computer Science should be understood as considerably more attainable than Northeastern's ~5-6% undergraduate figure, without treating any specific percentage as a published fact — Northeastern simply hasn't released one, and the number genuinely differs by campus.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Northeastern charges the same tuition rate regardless of citizenship, since there's no in-state/out-of-state distinction at a private university. Approximate annual figures for the MS in Computer Science (per Northeastern's published graduate cost data):
| Cost Item | Amount (USD/year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $60,740 |
| Living expenses, fees | $24,000 |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | $84,740 |
For a standard two-year MS, this puts total program cost in the $160,000-$170,000 range before any funding. Northeastern's graduate application fee is $100. Because Khoury's MS in Computer Science is offered across multiple campuses, actual cost of living can shift meaningfully by location — Silicon Valley and Boston generally cost more to live in than Charlotte or Portland, Maine, even though tuition itself is consistent university-wide.
Funding options are departmental: teaching and research assistantships, which include a stipend and partial or full tuition remission, exist primarily for PhD and select master's students rather than being broadly available to all MS applicants.
Admission Requirements
Khoury's MS in Computer Science is administered through Northeastern's online graduate application system with college-specific supplements. Based on Northeastern's published graduate requirements:
- Online graduate application through the specific program
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Statement of purpose
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- English proficiency scores (unless exempt)
- GRE/GMAT: required by a minority of programs; most Khoury College master's programs are test-optional
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) — Northeastern's published graduate baseline
Graduate deadlines vary widely by program and campus, generally spanning January through July for Fall intake and September through November for Spring intake — always check the specific campus and program page rather than assuming a university-wide date, since Khoury's multi-campus network means the same degree can have different deadlines by location.
How to Get Into Northeastern's MS in Computer Science
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Research campus options before you apply, not after admission. Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto, and Vancouver all offer Khoury's MS in Computer Science with different admission profiles, cost of living, and regional job markets — choosing strategically can materially change your odds and outcomes.
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If you don't have a CS undergraduate background, look at the Align Program specifically. Khoury's Align pathway is a structured bridge master's built for career-changers without a prior CS degree — many applicants without a computer science background wrongly assume this disqualifies them from Northeastern's flagship CS graduate track entirely.
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Make sure your application is complete and error-free. Because Khoury processes very high graduate application volume, generic or incomplete files are among the most common reasons for rejection at this level — a clear, program-specific statement of purpose matters more than polish for its own sake.
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Confirm your specific program's GRE/GMAT policy before assuming it's optional. Most Khoury master's programs are test-optional, but a minority require GRE/GMAT — verify for your specific track and campus rather than defaulting to the general policy.
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Clear the English-proficiency bar with room above the minimum. Khoury's graduate English requirements are described by Northeastern as a "moderate bar" relative to program quality — meeting it comfortably keeps English proficiency from becoming a factor in review.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Northeastern's graduate-level English proficiency policy applies to Khoury's MS in Computer Science:
- IELTS: minimum 6.5 overall, recommended 7.0; Khoury College programs generally expect scores in the 6.5-7.0 range, with some programs requiring 7.0+
- TOEFL: minimum 92 overall, recommended 100
- PTE Academic: minimum 65
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 110
- Waiver: waived for applicants who completed a full degree at an institution where English was the language of instruction, subject to program-level approval
Unlike undergraduate admission, Northeastern does not publish a formal English-language conditional-admission or bridge program for graduate applicants (there is no graduate equivalent of NU Immerse); applicants generally need to meet the program's English proficiency requirement, or an approved waiver, at the time of application. For general context on Northeastern's broader admissions picture, see Northeastern University: Acceptance Rate, Fees, IELTS/TOEFL Requirements, and How to Get In.
Career Outcomes
Northeastern does not publish outcomes broken out specifically for the MS in Computer Science, but university-wide graduate figures give a strong proxy, since CS is typically among the highest-earning fields within Northeastern's graduate population:
- Average graduate starting salary: ~$95,000 (university-wide graduate figure; CS-specific compensation, especially in software engineering roles, is typically at or above this blended average)
- Top recruiters (university-wide graduate): Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, State Street, and Fidelity Investments
Northeastern's signature co-op model is built primarily into its undergraduate programs, so it doesn't apply the same way to the on-campus MS in Computer Science — but Khoury's decades of employer partnerships, built through co-op, still feed into strong graduate recruiting relationships with major tech and finance employers. Graduates of the STEM-designated MS in Computer Science qualify for the standard 12-month OPT period plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to three years of US work authorization after graduation.
FAQ
Does Northeastern publish a specific acceptance rate for the MS in Computer Science? No. Northeastern doesn't release a university-wide graduate acceptance rate, let alone a Khoury-specific one. It does state that its 200+ master's programs admit at "meaningfully higher" rates than the ~5-6% undergraduate figure, without attaching a specific number.
Is the GRE required for Northeastern's MS in Computer Science? Most Khoury College master's programs are test-optional, but a minority require GRE or GMAT — confirm the policy for your specific track and campus before applying.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Khoury's MS in Computer Science? Northeastern's graduate minimum is IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 92, though Khoury programs generally expect scores in the 6.5-7.0 IELTS range, with some programs requiring 7.0+.
How much does Northeastern's MS in Computer Science cost? Tuition is $60,740/year, with total estimated cost of attendance around $84,740/year — roughly $160,000-$170,000 for the full two-year program before any funding, though costs vary by campus location.
What is Khoury's Align Program? Align is a structured bridge master's pathway specifically built for applicants without an undergraduate computer science background who want to pivot into a CS master's degree — a real option for career-changers, not just recent CS graduates.
Which Northeastern campus should I choose for the MS in Computer Science? It depends on your priorities — Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto, and Vancouver each offer the degree with different admission profiles, living costs, and regional job markets. Research the specific campus, not just the program name, before applying.