Northeastern vs Fisher College

Northeastern University and Fisher College, both located in Boston, Massachusetts, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Northeastern University, a private research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (28%) compared to Fisher College's (70%). Northeastern's larger student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. In terms of academics, Northeastern offers a wider range of undergraduate majors, including engineering, business, and computer science, while Fisher College focuses primarily on business, healthcare, and hospitality management. Both institutions offer co-op programs, but Northeastern's is more extensive, allowing students to gain valuable work experience during their studies. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.

	Fisher College	Northeastern University
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	Boston, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	54.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	72.4%	18.4%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	800 - 1070	1430 - 1550
ACT range	15 - 24	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	7.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	2.0%	14.0%
Total number of applicants	2,897	75,244
Total number of admissions given out	2,096	13,829
Admitted students who chose to enroll	197	4,504
Yield rate	9.4%	32.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$48,700	$78,202
Average net price	$26,130	$38,927
Tuition	$32,500	$56,500
Room & board	$17,000	Room/dormitory: $9,900 Meal plan: $7,910
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $23,143	80.0% Average amount $36,308
Students receiving federal student loan	90.0% Average amount $4,775	44.0% Average amount $5,154
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $14,653	5.0% Average amount $28,495

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,253 Men 31.2% Women 68.8%	15,747 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	114 Men 32.5% Women 67.5%	12,420 Men 52.1% Women 47.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	7.5%	34.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	289	10,481
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New York New Jersey Connecticut California Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Public Administration and Social Service Law Enforcement and Firefighting Psychology	Engineering Computer and Information Science Health Professions Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	35.6%	90.6%
Dropout rate	24.1%	5.1%
Transferred out	39.9%	3.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,000 Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $54,028 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $38,558 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $38,245 Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,767 Year 2: $34,793 Year 3: $32,617 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $25,973 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: $28,751 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,460 Year 2: $39,927 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,628 Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: N/A Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,807 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: N/A Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $51,111 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,480 Year 2: $45,715 Year 3: N/A Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $47,472 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,157 Year 2: $102,123 Year 3: $124,358 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,863 Year 2: $100,518 Year 3: $122,957 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,631 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $121,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,065 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $110,392 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $95,288 Year 2: $89,413 Year 3: $108,000 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $104,196 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,801 Year 2: $89,415 Year 3: $103,529 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,777 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $102,904 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,529 Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $99,566 Biotechnology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,825 Year 2: $80,556 Year 3: $98,428

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences in academic focus between Northeastern University and Fisher College?

Northeastern University is a large, research-focused university with a wide array of programs, including strong engineering, business, and health sciences departments. It's known for its emphasis on experiential learning, particularly its co-op program. Fisher College, on the other hand, is a smaller, career-focused college with a more intimate learning environment. It specializes in programs like business, fashion, and communications, often with a practical, hands-on approach geared towards immediate career readiness.
How does the size and campus environment differ between Northeastern and Fisher?

Northeastern boasts a large student body and a vibrant urban campus in Boston, offering a bustling social scene and extensive resources. Fisher College is significantly smaller, fostering a close-knit community feel. Its campus is also located in Boston, but it offers a more contained and personalized environment.
What are the key distinctions in the cost of attendance and financial aid opportunities?

Northeastern's tuition is generally higher than Fisher's, reflecting its larger scale and broader resources. Both institutions offer financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans. However, the specific aid packages and the availability of merit-based scholarships may vary. It's recommended to compare the net cost after financial aid for each school based on your individual circumstances.
How does the co-op/internship experience compare at Northeastern and Fisher?

Northeastern is renowned for its co-op program, which integrates work experience directly into the curriculum. Students typically alternate semesters of study with semesters of full-time work in their field. Fisher College also emphasizes career preparation, often including internships as part of its programs, but the structure and frequency of these experiences may differ from Northeastern's co-op model. Fisher's internships are designed to provide practical experience and industry connections.
What are the typical student profiles at Northeastern and Fisher College?

Northeastern attracts a diverse student body, including students from around the world, often seeking a rigorous academic experience and a strong focus on career development. Fisher College tends to attract students who are seeking a more personalized learning environment and a direct pathway to a specific career, often with a focus on practical skills and immediate job placement.
How do the graduation rates and career outcomes compare?

Both universities aim to prepare students for successful careers. Northeastern's large alumni network and strong industry connections often lead to diverse career opportunities. Fisher College focuses on career-specific training, with a strong emphasis on job placement and industry connections within its specialized fields. Graduation rates and specific career outcomes can vary depending on the program and individual student effort.
What are the main differences in campus life and extracurricular activities?

Northeastern offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including numerous clubs, organizations, and Division I athletics, reflecting its large student body. Fisher College, while smaller, still provides opportunities for student involvement, with clubs, organizations, and social events tailored to its student population. The scale and variety of activities are generally more extensive at Northeastern.
How does the admissions process differ between the two institutions?

Northeastern typically has a more selective admissions process, considering factors such as academic performance, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), extracurricular involvement, and essays. Fisher College's admissions process may be less competitive, focusing on a student's potential and career goals. Specific requirements and deadlines should be checked on each school's website.
Which college is better for a student interested in research opportunities?

Northeastern University is the better choice for students seeking significant research opportunities. As a large research university, Northeastern offers extensive research facilities, faculty-led research projects, and opportunities for undergraduate involvement in various fields. Fisher College, being primarily focused on career preparation, does not emphasize research to the same degree.
If I'm unsure about my career path, which college is a better fit?

Northeastern University might be a better fit if you're unsure about your career path. Its broad range of programs and the co-op program allow for exploration and experimentation in different fields. Fisher College, with its more specialized programs, is better suited for students who have a clear career goal in mind.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Fisher College

Central Connecticut State University