Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Oakland, California
16.5% Acceptance Rate
Northeastern University Oakland — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
16.5%Acceptance Rate
3.57Avg GPA
1472Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$92,538Grad Salary
Acceptance Rate
16.5%
Avg GPA
3.57
Avg SAT
1472
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Highly Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1390–1520
ACT Middle 50%
31–33
Northeastern University Oakland is a campus of the globally recognized Northeastern University system, known for its emphasis on experiential learning, research, and industry integration. By offering high-quality degree programs that connect academic theory with professional practice through global co-ops and real-world projects, the university prepares students for leadership in an increasingly interconnected economy. Its innovative model and commitment to student-centered career development make it an elite choice for those aiming to succeed in competitive, professional environments.
Northeastern University Oakland Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Northeastern University Oakland is 16.5%, which puts it squarely in the 'reach for most, match for the well-prepared' category.
What Northeastern University Oakland Admissions Looks For
- Clear Intent: Interviews and supplements should show why this school specifically, not just any selective school.
- Consistent Academics: A steady record of A-level performance across core subjects is expected.
- Score Validation: A strong SAT or ACT score can offset a minor GPA dip.
Selectivity at a Glance
Highly Competitive
Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 16.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Grades open the door at Northeastern University Oakland, but a strong, specific personal statement is often what closes it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.12
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Northeastern University Oakland Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Northeastern University Oakland (Early Decision I (binding) — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 88 days left — Early Decision I (binding)
Early Decision I (binding)
November 1
Early Action (non-binding)
November 1
Early Decision II (binding)
January 1
Regular Decision
January 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Northeastern University Oakland GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Northeastern University Oakland is 3.57. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.27 and 3.57? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.77–3.97.Northeastern University Oakland GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.17 – 3.36
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.16
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Northeastern University Oakland occupies the former Mills College campus (135 acres, founded 1852) - the first women's college west of the Rockies and a historic first-mover on transgender admission policy.
- Application fee is $75; the university remains test-optional indefinitely, and all applicants apply through one shared Northeastern application with a campus/program preference section.
- Students admitted to Oakland can complete a full four-year degree there or transition to Boston after year one (via NU Bound) or after any later year; transitioning is treated as an internal campus transfer, not a formal transfer application.
- There is currently no plan for credit-sharing or articulation agreements between Oakland and other Bay Area institutions (e.g., UC Berkeley, San Francisco State) - cross-registration outside Northeastern's own network is not available.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Northeastern University Oakland
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Northeastern University Oakland's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Northeastern University Oakland Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Northeastern University Oakland. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Northeastern University Oakland Without SAT or ACT?
Northeastern University Oakland considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Northeastern University Oakland Average SAT Score: 1472
Admitted students at Northeastern University Oakland average a 1472 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1472 — Very Competitive
Northeastern University Oakland's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1520 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Northeastern University Oakland allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1390? A retake is worth it at Northeastern University Oakland. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 750 | 720 | 780 |
| SAT Reading | 705 | 670 | 740 |
| SAT Composite | 1472 | 1390 | 1520 |
A score under 1390 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1520+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Northeastern University Oakland with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in Northeastern University Oakland's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Northeastern University Oakland ACT Requirements
Northeastern University Oakland's admitted students average an ACT of 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
Northeastern University Oakland's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 27 | 33 |
| ACT English | 33 | 30 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 31 | 33 |
Can I get into Northeastern University Oakland with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of Northeastern University Oakland's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Northeastern University Oakland weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Northeastern University Oakland
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Northeastern University Oakland rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Understand this is one Northeastern application with a campus-preference section - not a separate school
You apply once to Northeastern University overall, and within the application you indicate a preference for Boston, Oakland, or the N.U.in/NU Bound global-first-year programs - but Northeastern explicitly states every applicant is considered for all programs regardless of stated preference, with your preference only "guiding" the committee. If Oakland is genuinely your goal (smaller campus, Bay Area proximity), say so explicitly and specifically in your supplement rather than assuming a generic strong application defaults you there.
If admitted via NU Bound to Oakland, plan your four years around the built-in transition to Boston after year one
Many first-year admits to the Oakland campus enter through the NU Bound program, which is explicitly structured as one year in Oakland (or London) followed by transition to Boston's main campus in year two - full-degree-in-Oakland is possible but is a separate track from NU Bound. Confirm with admissions during the application process whether you're being offered the NU Bound (transitional) track or full-degree Oakland admission, since financial aid, housing guarantees, and major availability differ between the two.
Leverage the Mills College legacy explicitly if you're interested in gender studies, social justice, or the arts
Northeastern University Oakland occupies the former Mills College campus - the first women's college west of the Rockies and the first college in the U.S. to adopt an explicit admission policy for transgender students. If your academic or personal interests connect to gender studies, social justice, or the arts/music scene the campus is known for, referencing this specific institutional history in your essay demonstrates informed fit rather than generic interest in "Northeastern's reputation."
Know the major list is deliberately smaller at Oakland - confirm your intended major is actually offered there before committing to campus preference
Oakland offers 11 core majors and 22 interdisciplinary majors - a meaningfully smaller catalog than Boston's full offering - with online completion programs filling some gaps. Before indicating Oakland as your firm preference, cross-check your specific intended major against Oakland's current major list directly with admissions, since being admitted to Oakland doesn't guarantee your desired major is taught there in person.
Expert Insight:
A common misunderstanding is treating Northeastern's often-cited ~17% overall acceptance rate as the Oakland-specific rate - Oakland is a separate, smaller, and structurally distinct campus (formerly Mills College) with its own applicant pool and program pathways (NU Bound, full-degree Oakland), so applicants should ask admissions directly for Oakland-specific acceptance data rather than relying on Northeastern's Boston-driven headline statistics.
Northeastern University Oakland Profile
Full Name
Northeastern University Oakland
City
Oakland
State
California
ZIP Code
94613
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Northeastern University Oakland Degree Worth It?
Northeastern University Oakland offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $80,200, and graduates see a 2.86% unemployment rate.
How much does a Northeastern University Oakland Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Northeastern University Oakland graduates report a median income of $92,538, about 128% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Northeastern University Oakland. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
| Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley, MA | 1422 | 32 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | 1433 | 32 |
| Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN | 1424 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Northeastern University Oakland. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Smith College | Northampton, MA | 1480 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Northeastern University Oakland. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Northeastern University Oakland
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Northeastern University Oakland Admissions
Graduates of Northeastern University Oakland earn a high median salary of $92,538/year, varying by field.
Northeastern University Oakland's acceptance rate is 16.5%, in the 10–20% band. Admission is very competitive and requires a strong academic profile.
The average GPA of admitted Northeastern University Oakland students is 3.57, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.27 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Northeastern University Oakland. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.17 or below makes admission tougher at Northeastern University Oakland, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Northeastern University Oakland weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1472, and within the 1390–1520 range, keeps you competitive.
Northeastern University Oakland's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I (binding)).
Northeastern University Oakland charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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