New England Law/Boston vs. Northeastern University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Massachusetts law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Northeastern University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 153); Northeastern University posts the higher first-time bar passage (87.39% vs 79.18%); New England Law/Boston is cheaper on sticker tuition ($62,896 vs $65,652); Northeastern University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (86.9% vs 67.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | New England Law/Boston | Northeastern University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 153 | 164 | Northeastern University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.37 | 3.77 | Northeastern University |
| Acceptance rate | 61.3% | 24.2% | Northeastern University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $62,896 | $65,652 | New England Law/Boston |
| Non-resident tuition | $62,896 | $65,652 | New England Law/Boston |
| Median grant | $40,000 | $31,000 | New England Law/Boston |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 79.18% | 87.39% | Northeastern University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.96% | 96.74% | Northeastern University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -4.1 pts | +4.5 pts | Northeastern University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 67.6% | 86.9% | Northeastern University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 3% | 20.6% | Northeastern University |
| Federal clerkships | 0.3% | 2.3% | Northeastern University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
New England Law/Boston full profile · Northeastern University full profile · All Massachusetts law schools
FAQ
Is New England Law/Boston or Northeastern University harder to get into?
Northeastern University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against New England Law/Boston's 153.
Which is cheaper, New England Law/Boston or Northeastern University?
New England Law/Boston is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $62,896 versus Northeastern University's $65,652.
Which has better bar passage, New England Law/Boston or Northeastern University?
Northeastern University has the higher first-time bar passage, 87.39% against New England Law/Boston's 79.18%.
Which has better job outcomes, New England Law/Boston or Northeastern University?
Northeastern University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (86.9% vs 67.6%).
New England Law/Boston vs Northeastern University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Northeastern University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.