Understanding Your Costs

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on Student Financial Service’s website. Please keep in mind that COA components can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances. 

Annual costs for upper-level students participating in co-op vary depending on their pattern of attendance. See Patterns of Attendance section below. The number of semesters a transfer student spends in school depends on the curriculum of the student’s college. You are advised to verify your curriculum with your academic advisor so that you may plan accordingly.

Note: For tuition and fees for the following programs, please see Special Undergraduate Programs:

  • BSN Nursing—Accelerated Program for Second-Degree Students
  • BSN Nursing—Transfer Track

Total Estimated Costs

The total estimated costs for students living in Northeastern University housing and enrolled in the NU-Unlimited Meal Plan for the 2025–2026 academic year are as follows.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees Per Full Semester Per Summer Half Semester
Tuition $33,995 USD
Per Credit Hour Rate (see Overload and Reduced Load Policy) $2,125 (per credit hour)
Northeastern University Student Health Plan $2,849 USD (assessed annually)
International Student Fee $450 (assessed one time)
Campus-Specific Fees
Boston
Lab/Studio Fee
 $100 USD (per course)
Undergraduate Student Fee (in class or during study abroad)
 $362.50 $181.25
Student Activity Fee
 $180 USD (assessed annually)
Student Center Fee
 $85 USD
Recreation Fee
 $75 USD
Oakland
Lab/Studio Fee
 $100 USD (per course)
Oakland Campus Comprehensive Fee
 $700 USD
Oakland Student Activities (ASMC) Fee
 $100 USD
Oakland AC Transit Fee
 $72 USD
California Residency-Based Fee
Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) Fee1
 Assessed annually1
1

The state of California mandates a Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) fee, at a rate of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges, to students who are California residents or are enrolled in a residency program.

 Living Expenses (Food and Housing) and ​Fees per Semester

Tuition and Fees Per Full Semester Per Summer Half Semester
Residential Student Fee $37 $19
Housing Estimated median rate of $5,6801 Approximately 1/2 of semester rate1
NU-Unlimited Meal Plan2 $4,450 Approximately 1/2 of semester rate 2
1

Rates vary depending on occupancy and assignment. Visit the Housing and Residential Life website for a detailed list of housing rates.

2

Meal plan requirements vary based on campus, class year, and university housing status. See Northeastern University Dining Services below for additional meal plan options. Or visit the Husky Card Services website for more information.

Undergraduate day students who take a graduate course as part of their undergraduate program will be charged the same rates that apply to undergraduate credits. (See “Overload Policy” and “Reduced Load Policies.”)

In addition to the expenses itemized above, families should plan on the normal costs of living that students incur for transportation,  books, course materials, supplies, equipment, and personal expenses. While these expenses may vary, for the purpose of approximating a student budget, the university estimates these items at $2,800 per year.

Tuition rates, university housing, meal plan rates, and fees are subject to revision at any time.

Fee Information

For a complete list of fee descriptions, please visit the Student Financial Services website. 

Additional Fees

Other fees may include the following:

Housing Application/Deposit

New students must submit a nonrefundable $600 enrollment deposit along with a completed housing application form to complete the housing application process. Northeastern University housing is required for all first- and second-year students entering as new students through fall admission to Boston and Oakland or through the N.U.in Program. The continuing student housing deposit is $200 for each full semester and for each summer half semester.

Residence Hall Activities Fee

All students living in the residence hall system pay a full-semester $37 fee or half-semester $19 fee for activities sponsored by the Residence Student Association.

 

Patterns of Attendance

To better plan for tuition and fees, students and parents should be aware that:

  1. Tuition is charged when a student is taking classes/earning academic credit. Tuition is not charged for co-op; however, the student will pay room and board if they stay in a university residence hall while on co-op and will be assessed tuition if enrolled in a class.
  2. Financial aid will be distributed to match the student’s academic program and tuition bills.

Northeastern University’s calendar enables students to participate in six-month co-op assignments. Each academic year has three full semesters (fall semester, September-December; spring semester, January-April; and summer semester, May-August). The summer semester includes a first and second half of about seven weeks each (first-half, May-June, and second-half, July-August). The six-month co-op assignments generally span either the spring plus summer first-half terms or the summer second half plus fall terms.

The co-op schedule is flexible, but generally, students alternate periods in class with periods on co-op. All students are required to complete their program in the classroom, rather than on a co-op assignment, so their last semester will be in the classroom. For specific patterns of attendance for particular majors, consult the program plan for that major.

Living Expenses

Room Rates per Semester

Visit the Housing and Residential Life website for a complete display of room rates and residence halls.

Students are billed at the beginning of each term and must pay the full charge for the term in accordance with Student Financial Services policy.

The high demand for Northeastern University housing makes it necessary for Housing and Residential Life to enforce its termination and cancellation policies strictly.

Termination Charge and Room Rate Adjustments

A student whose License Agreement is revoked due to a separation from the university is subject to the Termination Charge Policy and the financial assessments outlined below. All housing deposits on file will be forfeited. Students who are suspended or expelled from the university, or on a medical leave of absence or withdrawn from the university, will have their current and any active future License Agreements, as well as any housing applications, revoked. Upon reentry to the university, the student must reapply for housing and will be considered for housing accordingly, based upon eligibility and availability.

Students who withdraw from the university will have their meal plan charges prorated to the end of the week they complete the University Withdrawal form in the Office of the University Registrar. Students must also remove all belongings from university housing and check out properly with Housing and Residential Life in order to be credited, if applicable. 

Termination Charge Policy

Fall and Spring Semesters
Official Withdrawal from University Room Charge Credited
Week 1 100%1
Week 2 90%1
Week 3 80%1
Week 4 60%1
Week 5 40%1
After week 52 0%2
1

 This credit may be prorated based on the daily charges of time used.

2

 Students withdrawing after week 5 incur a 100% room charge for the term.

Summer Half Semesters
Official Withdrawal from University Room Charge Credited
Week 1 100%1
Week 2 75%1
Week 3 50%1
Week 4 25%1
After week 42 0%2
1

 This credit may be prorated based on the daily charges of time used.

2

 Students withdrawing after week 4 incur a 100% room charge for the term.

Cancellation Charge Policy

Cancellation charges apply if a student cancels or withdraws from a housing arrangement after the housing has been secured, as set forth in the tables below. Only students who are not required to live in university housing are permitted to cancel; first- and second-year students are required to live in university housing. Students who cancel because of co-op outside of the Boston area, study abroad, or a medical leave of absence can cancel housing without cancellation charges, subject to providing acceptable written verification; housing charges for time of occupancy may apply. If the cancellation deadline has passed, students who can demonstrate a significant change in academic, co-op, or financial circumstances may petition for a waiver of this charge. See the following cancellation charge schedule:

Amount Charged For Fall Semester For Spring Semester For Summer First Half For Summer Second Half
Deposit refunded; no charge Before 5/15/25 Before 10/1/25 Before 3/15/26 Before 4/15/26
$1,000 ($500 half summer) charge1 After 5/15/25 After 10/1/25 After 4/15/26
$2,000 ($1,000 half summer) charge1 After 6/15/25 After 10/15/25 After 3/15/26 After 4/30/26
$3,000 ($1,500 half summer) charge1 After 7/15/25 After 11/1/25 After 4/1/26 After 5/15/26
100% of term room charge1 After 8/1/25 After 12/1/25 After 4/15/26 After 5/29/26
1

The student's deposit for the term is applied to the cancellation charge assessed.

Northeastern University Dining Services

Housing Requirements

Meal-plan-required housing locations can be located on the Husky Card Services website.

First-Year Student Requirements—Boston

  • First-year students living in meal-plan-required housing will be auto-enrolled in the NU-Unlimited plan and will have the opportunity to select the NU-225 or NU-180 plan.
  • First-year students in non–meal-plan-required housing will be auto-enrolled in the NU-180 plan and will have the opportunity to select the NU-Unlimited, NU-225, or NU-150 plan.

First-year student minimum meal plan requirements apply to fall, spring, and first half of summer terms. Class year is determined by entry term.

Continuing Student requirements—Boston

  • Continuing students living in meal-plan-required housing will be auto-enrolled in the NU-180 plan and can select any traditional meal plan.
  • Continuing students in non–meal-plan-required housing will not be auto-enrolled in any plan. They may purchase any of the meal plans offered.

Traditional Meal Plans—Boston

Term-based meal plans with a fixed number of meal swipes available to use across the term. Plans include dining dollars and guest meals. Unused meal swipes expire at the end of the term.
 
  • NU Unlimited: $4450 (includes $400 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-225: $4450 (includes $600 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-180: $3935 (includes $300 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-150: $3465 (includes $200 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-100: $2800 (includes $200 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)

Community Meal Plans—Boston

Voluntary meal plans valid throughout the academic year (fall through second half of summer). Plans include fixed meal swipes but may be added to at any time. Bonus Bucks may be bundled with community plans at a discounted rate. Guest meals are not included.
 
  • CP-20: $375
  • CP-40: $740
  • CP-60: $1105
  • CP-80: $1460

Bonus Bucks—Boston

An opt-in declining-balance account that can be bundled with a community meal plan at a discounted rate. Bonus Bucks can be used at any food-service location on or off campus as well as for retail services. Bonus Bucks expire annually before the start of the fall semester.

  • $95 ($100 value)
  • $190 ($200 value)
  • $285 ($300 value)
  • $380 ($400 value)

First-Year student Requirements—Oakland

First-year students living in university housing will be auto-enrolled in the NU-Unlimited plan and will have the opportunity to select the NU-225 plan. First-year student minimum meal plan requirements apply to fall, spring, and first half of summer terms. Class year is determined by entry term.

Continuing Student Requirements—Oakland

Continuing students living in university housing will be auto-enrolled in the NU-180 plan and will have the opportunity to select any other plan. Class year is determined by entry term.

Traditional Meal Plans—Oakland

Term-based meal plans with a fixed number of meal swipes available to use across the term. Plans include dining dollars and guest meals. Unused meal swipes expire at the end of the term.
 
  • NU Unlimited: $4520 (includes $500 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-225: $4520 (includes $600 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-180: $3700 (includes $200 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)
  • NU-150: $3500 (includes $200 dining dollars and 10 guest passes)

Community Meal Plans—Oakland

Voluntary meal plans valid throughout the academic year (fall through second half of summer). Plans include fixed meal swipes but may be added to at any time. Bonus Bucks may be bundled with community plans at a discounted rate. Guest meals are not included.
 
  • CP-20: $325
  • CP-40: $645
  • CP-60: $965
  • CP-80: $1275

Bonus Bucks—Oakland

An opt-in declining-balance account that can be bundled with a community meal plan at a discounted rate. Bonus Bucks can be used at any food-service location on or off campus as well as for retail services. Bonus Bucks expire annually before the start of the fall semester.

  • $95 ($100 value)
  • $190 ($200 value)
  • $285 ($300 value)
  • $380 ($400 value)

For information about menus, dining locations, and hours of service, visit Northeastern Dining.

Please visit the Husky Card Services website for more information on meal plan requirements, policies, and important dates.

 

Please note: Students have until the second Friday of the semester to make any meal plan changes or to enroll in a meal plan via Meal Plan Online linked within the Student Hub.
Visit the Husky Card website for details.