Northeastern University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Northeastern University

Former names	Evening Institute for Younger Men (1898–1916) Northeastern College (1916–1922)
Motto	Lux, Veritas, Virtus (Latin)
Motto in English	"Light, Truth, Courage"
Type	Private research university
Established	1898; 127 years ago (1898)
Accreditation	NECHE
Academic affiliations	NAICU URA Space-grant
Endowment	$1.85 billion (2024)
Budget	$2.2 billion (FY 2024)
President	Joseph E. Aoun
Provost	David Madigan
Academic staff	3,049 (2020)
Students	38,760 (2023)
Undergraduates	21,330 (2023)
Postgraduates	17,430 (2023)
Location	Boston , Massachusetts , United States 42°20′24″N 71°05′18″W / 42.34000°N 71.08833°W / 42.34000; -71.08833
Campus	Large city, 73 acres (30 hectares)
Other campuses	Arlington Burlington Charlotte Nahant Miami, Florida New York Oakland Portland Silicon Valley Seattle London Toronto Vancouver
Newspaper	The Huntington News
Colors	Red and black
Nickname	Huskies
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – CAA Hockey East EARC EAWRC NEISA IRA
Mascot	Paws the Husky
Website	northeastern.edu

Northeastern University (often called NU or NEU) is a private research university. Its main campus is in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was started in 1898 by the Boston Young Men's Christian Association. At first, it was an all-male school. It became Northeastern College in 1916 and a university in 1922.

Northeastern is the largest university in Massachusetts by student numbers, with over 38,000 students. The main campus is in Boston, near the Fenway–Kenmore and Roxbury areas. The university offers many programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Most undergraduate students take part in a special program called cooperative education. This program lets students work in real jobs related to their studies.

Northeastern also has other campuses in different cities. These include Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; Oakland, California; Portland, Maine; Burlington, Massachusetts; Miami, Florida; New York City; London; and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. The university's sports teams are called the Northeastern Huskies. They compete in NCAA Division I in 18 different sports.

University History: How Northeastern Grew

Early Years and New Programs

In 1896, the Boston Young Men's Christian Association started an Evening Institute for Younger Men. This institute brought together and improved classes that had been offered for many years. They taught subjects like algebra, literature, and electricity. The first classes were held in 1898. A new YMCA building was built on Huntington Avenue in 1913.

The School of Law also started in 1898. In 1903, the first Automobile Engineering School in the country was created. Day classes began in 1909. In 1916, the institute officially became Northeastern College.

In 1909, the Polytechnic School began offering co-operative engineering courses. This program allowed students to switch between classroom learning and real work experience. This co-op program was one of the first in the U.S. and was later used by all departments.

Frank Palmer Speare became the first president of Northeastern College in 1917. Five years later, the college changed its name to Northeastern University. This new name showed that it offered more advanced studies. In 1923, the university was allowed to grant general degrees.

The College of Liberal Arts was added in 1935. After World War II, Northeastern began to admit women students. In 1948, Northeastern became fully separate from the YMCA. By 1959, Northeastern was known as an independent technical university for local students.

From 1959 to 1975, under President Asa S. Knowles, the university grew a lot. It added more undergraduate and graduate programs. It also created new colleges, like the College of Education (1953) and the College of Criminal Justice (1967). The Khoury College of Computer Sciences was created in 1982.

During this time, Northeastern's student body became much more diverse. More women and students from different backgrounds joined the university.

Recent Changes and Growth

By the early 1980s, Northeastern had become one of the largest private universities. In 1990, more students started living on campus instead of commuting. After an economic downturn in the early 1990s, the university decided to become "smaller, leaner, better." This meant reducing staff and student numbers to improve quality.

When President Richard M. Freeland took over in 1996, he focused on improving academics. He also changed the co-operative education system to better connect learning with work experience. The university started a large construction program, building new dorms and academic buildings. Freeland also worked to raise money for the university.

Between 1995 and 2007, student test scores went up, and more students stayed at the university. Northeastern's goal was to be in the top 100 universities in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. This goal was reached by 2005.

President Joseph E. Aoun took over in 2006. He focused on improving undergraduate education and research. He also worked to improve relationships with the neighborhoods around the university. Northeastern quickly moved up in national rankings during this time.

The Empower Campaign, a fundraising effort, was launched in 2013. Its goal was to raise $1 billion by 2017, which was later increased to $1.25 billion. By October 2017, the campaign had raised $1.4 billion.

In 2022, there was an incident at a lab on campus. A university employee claimed a device exploded, but investigators later found that the employee had made up the event. He was charged and fired from his job.

In May 2024, it was announced that Marymount Manhattan College would join Northeastern University. The new combined school in New York City will be called Northeastern University-New York City.

University Presidents

Here are the presidents who have led Northeastern University:

• Frank Palmer Speare (1898–1940)
• Carl Stephens Ell (1940–1959)
• Asa S. Knowles (1959–1975)
• Kenneth G. Ryder (1975–1989)
• John A. Curry (1989–1996)
• Richard M. Freeland (1996–2006)
• Joseph E. Aoun (2006–present)

Academics: What Students Learn

Northeastern offers many different study programs. There are 329 undergraduate majors, including 199 combined majors like Business Administration and Communication Studies. For graduate students, there are 36 PhD programs and 264 other graduate programs.

Northeastern's learning style combines classroom studies with real-world experiences. These experiences include the cooperative education program, student research, community service, and global experiences like studying abroad. The co-op program places almost 10,000 students each year in full-time, paid jobs. These jobs are with nearly 3,000 employers around the world.

Northeastern University is officially recognized by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Colleges and Schools at Northeastern

Northeastern University has eight main colleges where students earn degrees:

• College of Arts, Media and Design
• Khoury College of Computer Sciences
• College of Engineering
• Bouvé College of Health Sciences
• College of Professional Studies
• College of Science
• College of Social Sciences and Humanities
• Mills College at Northeastern University (since 2023)

There are also two separate schools:

• D'Amore-McKim School of Business
• Northeastern University School of Law

John Martinson Honors Program

The John Martinson Honors Program is for students who want to challenge themselves more. Students are chosen from the regular application pool. The program offers special advanced classes and independent research projects. Honors students get special housing in their first year. The program helps students explore their interests and make a positive impact on the world.

Co-op and Internship Program

Northeastern's cooperative education (co-op) program started in 1909. It is one of the largest and oldest co-op programs in the world. In this program, students switch between studying in class and working in professional jobs. These jobs are usually paid and are related to their major.

Students can choose to do one or two co-op experiences to finish their degree in four years. Or, they can do three co-ops and graduate in five years. When students are on co-op, they do not pay tuition. Many students (50%) get a job offer from a company where they did a co-op.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Northeastern has programs for students to study abroad for a semester. These programs are in places like Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. Some of the schools they can attend include the University of Cambridge in England and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Through a special program, International Business students can even earn two degrees. One degree is from Northeastern, and the other is from a partner school abroad.

Research at Northeastern

Northeastern gives undergraduate students many chances to do research. Students can work on research projects through different centers and programs. In 2007, the university received over $78 million for external research. In 2010, Northeastern was given $12 million for a Homeland security research facility.

Becoming a Northeastern Student

Fall enrollment statistics, freshmen

	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Applicants	98,373	96,327	91,086	75,244	64,459	62,263
Admits	5,115	5,459	6,179	13,829	13,199	11,240
Admit rate	5.2%	5.6%	6.7%	18%	20%	18%
Enrolled	~2,600	2,738	2,620	4,504	3,128	2,996
SAT range		1460–1530	1450–1535	1440–1530	1430–1540	1390–1540
ACT range		33–35	33–35	33–35	33–35	32–35

For students applying to Northeastern, the acceptance rate in 2023 was 5.6%. This means that out of 96,327 applicants, only about 5,389 were accepted. The number of applications has increased a lot in recent years.

For the class that started in Fall 2018, the middle 50% of students had SAT scores between 670 and 750 for reading and writing, and 690 and 790 for math. Their ACT scores were between 32 and 34.

Many international students choose Northeastern. In 2016, 9,500 international students applied. Northeastern was ranked as the fourth-highest university in the U.S. for hosting international students in 2017. Over 12,000 international students from 138 different countries attend Northeastern.

University Rankings

U.S. university rankings
ARWU World	201–300
THES World	201–250
USNWR National University	54
Washington Monthly National University	100
Forbes	73

In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Northeastern was tied for 53rd among National Universities. In 2008, a survey by Reader's Digest said Northeastern was the second safest school in the United States.

Specialty Rankings

Campus Life and Buildings

Northeastern University's main campus covers 73 acres (30 ha). It is mostly along Huntington Avenue and Columbus Avenue in Boston. This area is known as the Fenway Cultural District. It is close to the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall.

In 2019, the campus was named an arboretum. This means it has many different types of trees and plants. It is the only campus in Boston with this special designation.

The first baseball World Series was played on the Huntington Avenue Grounds, which is now part of the campus. A statue of Cy Young marks this spot.

Since 2014, Northeastern has been adding murals and other art around its Boston campus. Famous artists like Shepard Fairey have created art for the university.

Campus Development Over Time

During the 1930s, as more students joined, Northeastern planned a new campus. Richards Hall, finished in 1938, was the first building. Its design, with light gray brick and vertical windows, was used for other buildings.

In 1961, the university bought an old industrial complex. Some buildings were torn down, but others were used for offices and labs. These are now Lake Hall, Holmes Hall, Nightingale Hall, and Meserve Hall.

Recently, Northeastern has made big changes. It opened a large research complex called the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC). It also started the Institute for Experiential Artificial Intelligence. The College of Computer and Information Science was renamed the Khoury College of Computer Sciences after a large donation.

EXP, another big research building, opened for the 2023–2024 school year. It is about 350,000 square feet (33,000 m²) and has a large space for students to create things.

In early 2024, an art piece called "Rooted" was put up on campus. Some students did not like it because it blocked views of a popular quad. The student government passed a rule to have it moved.

In June 2024, Northeastern announced plans to rebuild several older buildings. This includes Matthews Arena and some dorms. As of January 2025, White Hall has been torn down.

Sustainability Efforts

Northeastern is known for its efforts to be environmentally friendly. In 2011, it received a high grade for its sustainability programs. The Princeton Review named Northeastern one of the top 15 "Green Colleges" in 2010. In 2011 and 2014, Northeastern was ranked as the greenest university in the world by GreenMetric.

Several buildings on campus have received special certifications for being environmentally friendly. These include International Village, Dockser Hall, East Village, and the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex.

Public Transportation Access

The MBTA subway Orange Line and Green Line E branch go through the Northeastern campus. Students can use the [[{{{station}}} (MBTA station)|{{{station}}}]] station on the Orange Line and the [[{{{station}}} (MBTA station)|{{{station}}}]] station on the Green Line. Ruggles station is also a major stop for buses and commuter trains.

Campus Landmarks

Centers and Common Areas

Krentzman Quadrangle is the main open area on campus. It has a brick sign that says "Northeastern University." This quad is a central gathering spot for students.

Centennial Common is a grassy area created to celebrate Northeastern's 100th anniversary in 1998. It is a popular spot for students to relax and for student groups to hold outdoor events.

The Marino Recreation Center is an indoor fitness center that opened in 1996. It is named after Roger Marino, a former student who helped start EMC Corporation.

Halls and Auditoriums

Ell Hall, built in 1947, is one of the oldest buildings on campus. It has offices, classrooms, an art display area, and the Northeastern Bookstore. It is connected to a network of tunnels that students can use in bad weather. Ell Hall is named after Carl Ell, a former president who helped expand the campus.

Blackman Auditorium is Northeastern's largest event space. It hosts many different events, from classes to theater shows and musical performances.

Gallery 360 is Northeastern University's art gallery. It is free and open to the public. It shows art by visiting artists, students, and faculty.

Dodge Hall is home to Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. It was built in 1952. From 1953 until 1990, its basement was the university's main library.

Richards Hall was the first building built on campus in 1938. Its design was used for other buildings around it.

Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex

The Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex (ISEC) opened in 2017. This 220,000-square-foot (20,000 m²) building provides space for research and learning. It is used by students and professors from different science and engineering fields. The building has a large open area, a spiral staircase, and an auditorium.

Matthews Arena

Matthews Arena opened in 1910 and is the oldest indoor ice hockey arena still standing. It is home to Northeastern's men's and women's hockey teams and the men's basketball team. It was also the first home for the NHL Boston Bruins. The arena is named after George J. Matthews, a former chairman of the university's board.

Dorms and Student Housing

East Village is one of Northeastern's newest dorm buildings. It houses freshmen and upperclassmen in the Honors Program. It opened in 2015 and has classrooms and an event space.

There are plans to build a new 23-story dorm that will house 1,300 more students.

South Campus (Columbus Avenue)

Northeastern's southern part of campus is along Columbus Avenue. In 2001, Davenport Commons opened, providing housing for students and families.

International Village, a large student housing complex, opened in 2009. It has three connected dorm towers, offices, and a gym. It also has a dining hall open to everyone.

Lightview, a 20-story apartment building for Northeastern students, opened in 2019. It has fitness areas and social spaces.

Library Facilities

Northeastern University Libraries include the Snell Library and the John D. O'Bryant African-American Institute Library. The Snell Library opened in 1990. It also holds special collections about social justice issues in Boston.

Other Northeastern Campuses

Besides its main Boston campus, Northeastern has other locations in Massachusetts. These include the George J. Kostas Research Institute in Burlington and a Marine Science Center in Nahant. The Kostas Research Institute, opened in 2011, has a lab for testing strong building materials.

The university has also opened several full-service campuses in North America. These include Charlotte, North Carolina (2011), Seattle (2013), San Jose, California (2015), Toronto (2016), and Vancouver, British Columbia (2019). In 2020, Northeastern opened the Roux Institute in Portland, Maine. This new research institute focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Northeastern has also expanded globally. In 2018, it bought the New College of the Humanities in London, England, creating another campus there.

On July 1, 2022, Mills College in Oakland, California, joined Northeastern University. It is now called Mills College at Northeastern University.

Student Life and Activities

Northeastern has more than 16 varsity sports teams and over 30 club sports teams. There are also over 400 student clubs and organizations. These include the Student Government Association, the student newspaper The Huntington News, and various performance groups.

Northeastern has six student-run a cappella groups. The Nor'easters have won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) title twice.

Athletics: The Huskies

Since 1927, Northeastern University's sports teams have been called the Huskies. Before that, there was no official mascot. A committee chose the Siberian Husky. The first live husky mascot, King Husky I, arrived in 1927. The current live mascot is named Moses. The official costumed mascot is Paws.

The university's colors are Northeastern red and black. Most of Northeastern's 18 varsity sports teams compete in NCAA Division I's Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

Northeastern has teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, ice hockey, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field, and volleyball.

The baseball, soccer, and rugby teams play at Parsons Field in Brookline. The field hockey and track and field teams compete in Dedham. Matthews Arena, which opened in 1910, is home to the hockey and basketball teams. It is the world's oldest multi-purpose athletic building. The rowing teams practice at Henderson Boathouse on the Charles River.

The baseball team has played in the NCAA regionals seven times.

In 2009, Northeastern stopped its football program. The university decided to focus on its other sports programs instead.

Northeastern also offers 40 club sports. These include sailing, judo, rugby, lacrosse, and ultimate Frisbee. In 2010, the club baseball team won the National Club Baseball Association Division II World Series.

Ice Hockey Success

The men's and women's hockey teams play in the Hockey East conference. Northeastern won the Beanpot tournament in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024. The Beanpot is a special tournament between Boston's four major college hockey teams.

University Traditions

Underwear ("Undie") Run

The Underwear Run started in 2005. During this event, students run around campus in their underwear. The university police supervise the event to keep everyone safe. Students say it is a fun way to build community and school spirit.

Husky Hunt

Husky Hunt is a 24-hour scavenger hunt organized by the Resident Student Association. Teams of students explore the Greater Boston area to find clues and solve puzzles.

Notable People from Northeastern

Northeastern University has over 275,000 living alumni (former students) who live in more than 180 countries.

Famous Alumni

• 

  Wendy Williams
  TV host and media personality

• 

  Maggie Hassan
  United States Senator and former Governor of New Hampshire

• 

  Maura Healey
  Governor of Massachusetts

• 

  Mo Cowan
  Former United States Senator from Massachusetts

• 

  Gregory Jarvis
  Astronaut on Space Shuttle Challenger

• 

  John Pastore
  Former United States Senator from Rhode Island

• 

  Jane Curtin
  Actress and comedian, original cast of Saturday Night Live

• 

  Carlos Peña
  Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player

• 

  J.J. Barea, Former National Basketball Association (NBA) player

Notable Faculty Members

• Michael Dukakis, Former governor of Massachusetts and professor of Political Science
• Matthias Felleisen, Author of How to Design Programs, Professor of Computer Science
• Professor Lyrical, Rapper and Public Speaker, Associate Professor of Mathematics
• Pran Nath, Co-developer of the theory of supergravity

See also

In Spanish: Universidad del Nordeste para niños

• Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex
• Khoury College of Computer Sciences
• Northeastern University (MBTA station)
• Ruggles (MBTA station)