Northeastern's BS in Data Science is offered through Khoury College of Computer Sciences alongside its flagship Computer Science degree, and admission runs through Northeastern's single, unified undergraduate process rather than a separate major-specific application — meaning there is no distinct "Data Science acceptance rate," in the same way there's no separate rate for any individual Northeastern major. For applicants weighing Northeastern's Data Science program against peer schools, the pitch is Khoury College's strong computing infrastructure and faculty, Northeastern's signature co-op program (built directly into the undergraduate degree), and a Boston location with genuine access to New England's data, finance, and health-tech employers.
This guide walks through exactly what it takes to get into Northeastern's BS in Data 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 separate acceptance rate for the BS in Data Science. 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 dramatic drop over the past decade driven by surging application volume, putting Northeastern in the same range as several Ivy League schools.
- Northeastern admits students through a single, unified undergraduate application (Common Application or Coalition Application); there is no separate "Data Science application" or major-specific acceptance rate, since applicants are evaluated for admission to the university as a whole, with intended major as one factor among several.
- Because Khoury College's programs (Computer Science and Data Science) are among Northeastern's most in-demand majors, applicants who select Data Science as their intended major are very likely competing within a more selective slice of the applicant pool than the university-wide 5-6% figure implies, though Northeastern does not publish major-level admission data to confirm by how much.
Bottom line: treat the ~5-6% figure as the relevant Northeastern-wide reference point, but understand that declaring Data Science (a Khoury College major) as your intended field likely places you in a more competitive review than that headline number alone suggests.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Northeastern charges the same tuition rate regardless of citizenship. Approximate annual figures for undergraduate study (per Northeastern's published cost data):
| Cost Item | Amount (USD/year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $65,802 |
| Living expenses, fees, housing | $22,740 |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | $88,542 |
For the full four-year BS, this puts total program cost in the $350,000-$360,000 range before any scholarships or financial aid. Northeastern's undergraduate application fee is $75.
International students are not eligible for need-based institutional or federal aid, but competitive admitted applicants — domestic and international — receive automatic merit scholarships at the time of admission, with no separate application required. The average aid package reported by Northeastern is approximately $50,421, though this figure blends merit and other aid across the undergraduate population rather than being Data Science-specific.
Admission Requirements
The BS in Data Science is admitted through Northeastern's standard undergraduate process. Based on Northeastern's published requirements:
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- Official secondary school transcripts, sent directly by the institution
- University transcripts with certified evaluation, if applicable
- National exam results (e.g. board exam scores), where relevant
- English language proficiency test results (unless exempt)
- Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF)
- Secondary school report or counselor recommendation
- SAT/ACT scores (test-optional; the middle 50% of admits score 1440-1540 SAT / 33-35 ACT)
Deadlines: Early Decision I — November 15; Early Action — December 1; Early Decision II — January 15; Regular Decision — February 1.
How to Get Into Northeastern's BS in Data Science
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Demonstrate genuine quantitative interest, not just strong grades. Because Khoury College majors are among Northeastern's most competitive, admissions readers look for evidence beyond a transcript — math/CS coursework, competitions, projects, or independent data work that shows real engagement with the field.
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Use your essays to explain why Data Science specifically, not "STEM" broadly. A specific, well-reasoned rationale for Data Science over Computer Science or another quantitative major helps differentiate your application within Khoury's competitive applicant pool.
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Submit SAT/ACT scores if they're strong, even though Northeastern is test-optional. With admitted students in the 1440-1540 SAT range, a strong score can meaningfully strengthen a Khoury College application even where it isn't required.
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Apply Early Decision or Early Action if Northeastern is a genuine top choice. Applying earlier in Northeastern's admissions cycle, particularly Early Decision, is a well-established strategy at selective private universities for signaling strong interest, though it comes with a binding commitment for ED specifically.
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Consider the N.U.in Program if you're a strong applicant worried about the 5-6% headline rate. N.U.in is a genuine, actively used alternate admission pathway — students spend their first year (or semester) at a Northeastern partner site before transferring to Boston as sophomores, rather than being a downgrade from direct admission.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Northeastern's undergraduate-level English proficiency policy applies to the BS in Data Science:
- IELTS: minimum 7.0 overall, recommended 7.5; the middle 50% of admitted international students score 7.5-8.0
- TOEFL: minimum 100 overall, recommended 105; the middle 50% of admits score roughly 102-110 (legacy 0-120 scale)
- PTE Academic: minimum 70
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 120
- Waiver: waived for applicants who completed 4 consecutive, full-time academic years at institutions where native English was the primary language of instruction
For students who need more English preparation, Northeastern's NU Immerse program offers a one-year transitional program combining English-language instruction with academic acculturation for academically qualified applicants — a genuine bridge option distinct from a hard rejection. Because Northeastern's published undergraduate minimum (7.0 IELTS) sits well below where admitted students actually cluster (7.5-8.0), meeting only the minimum barely gets a file reviewed at Northeastern's current selectivity level. 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 BS in Data Science, but university-wide undergraduate figures, combined with Khoury College's strong computing reputation, give a reasonable proxy:
- Undergraduate 6-year graduation rate: ~91%
- Average graduate starting salary: ~$75,000 (university-wide undergraduate figure; Khoury College graduates in data-focused and technical roles are typically well represented among the higher end of this range)
- Top recruiters (university-wide undergraduate): Amazon, Google, Fidelity Investments, Massachusetts General Hospital, State Street, and Deloitte
Northeastern's defining undergraduate differentiator is co-op: over 93% of undergraduates alternate academic semesters with full-time, paid professional work placements, with more than 10,000 students placed annually across 4,000+ employers, and roughly 58% of students receiving a job offer from a previous co-op employer. For Data Science students specifically, co-op placements are authorized under Curricular Practical Training (CPT), giving substantial real US data/analytics work experience built directly into the degree — before OPT (12 months, plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension for this STEM-designated major) even begins.
FAQ
Does Northeastern publish a separate acceptance rate for Data Science? No. Northeastern admits through a single, unified undergraduate process (no major-specific application), so there's no separate Data Science acceptance rate — only the university-wide ~5-6% figure, within which Khoury College majors like Data Science are likely more competitive in practice.
Is the SAT or ACT required for Northeastern's Data Science program? No, Northeastern is test-optional, though the middle 50% of admitted students score 1440-1540 SAT / 33-35 ACT — a strong score can still strengthen an application to a competitive major like Data Science.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Northeastern's BS in Data Science? The published minimum is IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100, but admitted international students typically score 7.5-8.0 IELTS or 102-110 TOEFL — treat the minimum as a floor, not a target.
How much does Northeastern's BS in Data Science cost? Tuition is $65,802/year, with a total estimated cost of attendance around $88,542/year — roughly $350,000-$360,000 for the full four-year degree before any scholarships or aid.
What is the N.U.in Program and is it relevant to Data Science applicants? Yes. N.U.in is a genuine alternate first-year admission pathway: students spend their first year (or semester) at a Northeastern partner site before transferring to the Boston campus as sophomores, commonly offered to academically strong applicants who weren't in the initial direct-admit pool, including for Khoury College majors.
What makes Northeastern's Data Science program distinctive for career outcomes? Co-op. Over 93% of Northeastern undergraduates complete at least one full-time, paid professional work placement before graduation, giving Data Science students real analytics/data work experience — plus CPT authorization for international students — well before their first post-graduation job search.