Pretty torn about which shook to go to, because their stats are so similar! Thank you all in advance 
Im in the same boat, BU i think is ranked higher but NEU has the coop. If the co-op is your thing, go to NEU
NEU is climbing the rankings every year. Even if it’s ranked lower now the degree will be worth more by the time you graduate. For me deciding between NEU and BU was a no-brainer considering what an opportunity the co-op program provides. Besides that I think NEU has a lot of other advantages too. I personally prefer NEU’s campus, and I think it’s gaining prestige year by year without having the typical ‘snooty’ reputation a lot of the more prestigious universities have. There’s also better housing (I attend NEU but I stayed in the BU dorms for a summer program) and I prefer a lot of the extracurriculars offered here. I hear a lot of good things about the School of Business at NEU and I wouldn’t get held up on the current ranking.
Overall BU and Northeastern are both ranked 42 in USNews.
Is there a significantly different bottom line cost between the two schools or is money not a factor?
I’d go with NU if costs are similar. Northeastern has the co-op program which is as good as everyone says it is. BU doesn’t have as much to set itself apart to justify the cost.
That being said, if BU is significantly cheaper, I’d go with that option.
Are their stats so similar? According to BU and Northeastern’s last Common Data Set (2014) here are their SAT scores of enrolled students:
BU:
SAT CR 25%-75%: 570-670 (620)
SAT Math: 620-720 (670)
SAT Writing: 600-690 (645)
ACT: 27-31
Northeastern:
SAT CR: 660-740
SAT Math: 680-760
SAT Writing: 640-730
ACT: 31-33
That puts Northeastern about 150 points higher on the SAT than and Northeasterns 25th percentile students aren’t that far from BU’s 75th percentile in SAT Critical reading and ACT scores.
http://www.bu.edu/oir/files/2014/05/cds-2014.pdf
http://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/application-information/academic-profile/
I feel like a broken record, but it would be helpful on these X vs. Y. vs. Z threads that folks include cost of attendance (after grants/scholarships but before loans) and include the estimated amount of loans that would be needed to attend.
It’s a tough one because NEU and BU are both really good schools with strong programs. If co-ops call to your heart, then NEU. BU is a great school though too; it just is good if you’re looking for a different environment in your college experience.
@harvardandberkeley‌ @informative‌ Personally, tuition doesn’t really matter to me, because my parents are WILLING to pay full fee, which is why I’m having such a hard time trying to choose which one to go to >_<
Then I would go with NU. But you should visit and see which campus you like better. See if you like the idea of graduating with a resume and going through the co-op program or if you would rather a more traditional four year experience without pursuing employment.