Northern Arizona University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 22,903 students.
About This School
Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona with approximately 22,903 undergraduate students enrolled. Northern Arizona University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 90%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,158 per year. The graduation rate is 61%, and the typical graduate earns $44,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a public research university in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1899, it was the third and final university established in the Arizona Territory. The university is divided into seven academic colleges offering about 130 undergraduate and graduate programs, and various academic certificates. Students can take classes and conduct research in Flagstaff, online, and at more than 20 statewide locations, including the Phoenix Biomedical Core research campus. As of fall 2023, 28,194 students were enrolled with 21,550 at the Flagstaff campus.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of just $14,922/year and low median debt of $12,916 make this one of the better financial values among public universities, but a 57% graduation rate and 73% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful share of students struggle to finish — worth asking why when you visit. If you're drawn to the Flagstaff setting, outdoor-oriented campus life, or NAU's strong programs in forestry, education, or health sciences, it can be a solid fit, especially if you have a clear plan and support system in place. Just go in with eyes open: median earnings of $44,600 a decade out are modest, so choose your major with career outcomes in mind.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (22,903 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Northern Arizona University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Address
Northern Arizona University
1900 S Knoles Dr, Babbitt Administrative Center, Room 200
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4092
Official Links
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Mesa Community College
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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