Business at Northeastern University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Commerce, General
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,868/yr (55% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #31 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Northeastern's strong financial outcomes for Business/Commerce graduates are a direct reflection of its immersive co-op program and prime Boston location. Your practical experience, gained through rotations at major financial institutions, consulting firms, or tech companies across the city, means you're not just learning theory but actively building a professional network and a resume even before graduation. This deep integration with the real business world explains why graduates often step into leadership-track roles, managing projects, driving sales strategies, or overseeing operations from day one. While the "High AI risk" flag might seem concerning for general business, your co-op experiences emphasize developing critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and interpersonal skills—attributes highly valued and harder for AI to replicate. To maximize your prospects, strategically choose co-op placements that align with your interests and allow you to hone these uniquely human competencies.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $846K $817K $704K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.2x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,564
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$128,464
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$110,708
48% growth from Year 1

About Northeastern University

Northeastern University's 6% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 15,719 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $128,464 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northeastern University's Business program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northeastern University's Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Business to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Northeastern University rank so high for Business?
The #31 ranking out of 242 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →