Northeastern University is a pricey institution for overseas students. Northeastern University's average annual tuition cost is USD 57,676 (44.18 lakhs), which is significantly higher than the national average of USD 41,281 (31.61 lakhs). An Indian student can expect to pay approximately $75,402 USD (57.06 lakhs) per year to study at the university.

Northeastern University is mostly a residential institution. Most undergraduate students live on campus, although students in their third and fourth years can live off campus. On campus, there are three types of housing style halls: traditional residence halls, semi-private suite style, and apartments. There are separate accommodations for first-year, second-year, third-year, graduate, and law students. Students can also live in all-gender dorms at the university. Accommodation for international students is estimated to cost roughly $18,000 USD per year. The typical monthly rent for off-campus living is between 1050 and 1150 USD.

The total number of students at the university are 37779. Northeastern suggests that international students make up about 32.5% of the student body. Admission at Northeastern University is highly selective with an acceptance rate of only 18.38%.

Northeastern University is one of just a few Boston universities with a primary campus in the city centre. Northeastern University is an urban university close to the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall, yet it is also surrounded by trees and open areas. There are over 523 clubs and organisations for students on the university campus. The institution has 19 varsity sports teams as well as 64 club sports. The sports team of the university competes in NCAA Division I. Students can 3D print models and laser cut their work at the university's Snell Library. Students can also access 30 federally sponsored research centres at the campus. During their college years, more over 90% of NU undergraduates participate in at least one professional co-op.

Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Northeastern University's renowned co-op programme prepares students for four to six-month job opportunities in the United States. Working professional students can participate in a virtual work-based project through XN Network. Academic counselling is increasingly being combined with career coaching so that students can receive strong academic and career guidance at the same time. Northeastern University provides an outstanding ROI, with the highest average annual pay awarded to Northeastern alumni being 133,000 USD, which is more than the average annual wage offered by most universities in the United States. Doctoral students at Northeastern University earn an average annual salary of $120,000 USD. ADP, Athena Health, Pfizer, Raytheon, IBM, Amazon, Verizon, Medtronics, and Deloitte are among the companies recruiting at the university.