The Northeast of the USA may be small, but it’s packed with history, culture, great tourist sites, and top universities. The region is also known as ‘Northeastern USA’ or ‘the North’. It is the smallest region of this immense country and consists of nine states:
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
The first six on the list above also make up an area called ‘New England’ and ‘the birthplace of America’, but more on that a little later. The last three states above are also called the ‘Mid-Atlantic’ states (more on these in a separate region guide).
What is the Northeast USA like?
Location and demographics
As seen on the map above, the Northeast is in the top right-hand corner of the USA. It's on the Atlantic Ocean and the border with Canada. Based on the most recent Census data, the region’s population is 57, 159, 840. That’s more than double the entire population of Australia. The Northeast of the USA is the most densely populated area in the entire country.
Culture and history
The first European settlers were from England and were fleeing religious persecution in the early 1600s. The indigenous people lost their land, their homes, communities, and language with the arrival of the Europeans. This continued over many centuries, and today these communities continue to experience hardship and discrimination.
The English Pilgrims landed in what is today known as Massachusetts. Along with other Europeans, they spread across the land and settled in what later became known as New England. The states in this region were among the original ‘Thirteen Colonies’ who later fought the American Revolutionary War starting in 1775 and formed the United States of America in 1776 after declaring independence from the British.
Today the northeast states are multicultural hubs with their unique offerings. Experience Fall (autumn) in New Hampshire and Connecticut; coastal towns and small-town friendliness in Rhode Island; the liberal culture of Vermont; and the various multicultural festivals throughout Maine.
What cities are in the Northeast USA?
The largest cities across the region’s states are:
- Boston, Massachusetts is the cultural and financial centre of New England. It’s also the centre of scientific research, with many top-ranking universities in the city.
- Bridgeport, Connecticut – the largest city in Connecticut is also known as ‘the Park City’ as it has a park in almost every neighbourhood.
- Manchester, New Hampshire – visit the famous award-winning Red Arrow Diner, which is open 24 hours.
- Burlington, Vermont – situated between the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain is known for its culinary scene, festivals, and historic sites.
- Portland, Maine is described as a 'historic seacoast town with a funky vibe’.
- Warwick, Rhode Island is also known as ‘The Retail Capital of Rhode Island’, with its two large shopping malls and many other shops along Route 2.
How much does it cost to live in the Northeast USA?
As with anywhere in the world, the cost of living varies depending on the city and choice of accommodation. Some cities in the Northeast of the USA are more expensive than other parts of the country, namely Boston and Providence on Rhode Island. This is because these cities are home to some of the top-ranking universities in the world, such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both near Boston and Brown University on Rhode Island.
On average, international students wishing to study in this region of the country should budget approximately USD 19,000 to USD 20,000 per year or USD 1,580 USD 1,665 per month.
You can find more details in our article on how much it costs to study in the USA.
What services are there in the Northeast USA?
Travelling around this huge region is much easier by car, but you can still explore this region of the USA by train and bus. Amtrak has various train routes in the Northeast with connections throughout the region.
For a cheaper option, you could try intercity buses, for example, the Greyhound bus company can take you from Boston to New York City in under six hours for as little as USD 36 for a one-way ticket. If you have Student Advantage Card, you can get a 20 per cent discount on the bus ticket as well as other benefits in stores and travel companies.
What are the post-study options?
To stay in the USA after graduation it’s important to follow the strict visa rules. There are exceptions, but generally, international students have just over a year to find a relevant role or continue their studies.
Graduates from universities in the region have excellent career opportunities open to them. The universities in the area rank in the top 20 of the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
Massachusetts is home to some multinational companies such as Bain & Company, General Electric, Goodwin, Fidelity Investments, Boston Scientific and MAPFRE Insurance, to name only a few.
Find out how to apply for a post-study visa in the USA.
What universities are in the Northeast USA?
As mentioned above, the region is home to some of the top-ranking universities in the entire country. Here they are in more detail:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is in Cambridge, Massachusetts and ranks 1st on the QS World University Rankings 2023. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) is ranked in 5th place by QS. There are over 400,000 Harvard alumni worldwide.
- Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut) is ranked 18th in the world by QS. The university has over 2,800 international students from 121 countries.
- Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island) is ranked 63rd by QS and is a world leader in research. The university has a student-centred approach to learning and teaching.
- Boston University (Massachusetts) is ranked 108th globally by QS. The institution has over 7,000 international students from 100 countries.
- The University of Massachusetts Amherst has 110 undergraduate and 127 postgraduate courses on offer.
- At Tufts University (Medford, Massachusett) 98 per cent of undergraduates are employed or in postgraduate studies six months after graduation.
What are the main attractions?
As already mentioned, the region is famous for its involvement in creating the United States of America. You can walk Boston’s Freedom Trail to uncover this history. Other than the history, there are also other reasons to visit the city and to choose the region as a study destination. If art is your thing, then visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston or why not experience a live baseball match and watch the Boston Red Sox?
If seafood is one of your favourite meals, then why not try lobster in Portland, Maine or experience winter in Burlington, Vermont? Burlington is known for its seasonal snow and turns into a winter wonderland. There's also the bonus of getting an ice cream at the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s in the same city.
What must you see in the Northeast USA?
Here are a few of the highlights of the region we recommend you don’t miss.
- Nantucket Island, Cape Cod – is a tiny island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. You can visit the Whaling Museum, Madaket Beach and eat and drink at Cisco Brewers.
- McIntyre Ski Area, Manchester, New Hampshire. Only five minutes away from downtown Manchester, this ski resort isn’t the biggest in the area, but it has very central and has been operating for over 50 years.
- Acadia National Park, Maine. One of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the entire country. The area is beautiful in all seasons especially fall (autumn) and winter.
- Salem, Massachusetts. The city is famous for its witch trials in 1692 where 19 innocent people were executed for alleged witchcraft activity.
Northeast USA is an incredibly interesting part of the country. Even if you aren’t interested in its history, you’ll surely be interested in what it has to offer you as a tourist and as an international student.
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