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Northern Arizona University

NAU

Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-4092

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanGreek life

Known for business — major research university

Northern Arizona University is a public institution in Flagstaff with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A large campus of 23K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

57% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,384 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,922.

Established
1899
Mascot
Louie the Lumberjack
Type
Public research university
Conference
Big Sky Conference
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

91%Acceptance
SAT Avg
23,041Students
19:1Student:Faculty
57%Grad Rate
$54,384Earnings 10yr
$14,922Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate91.0%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$12,652
Tuition (out-of-state)$28,900
Room & Board$11,728
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$29,495
Average Net Price$14,922
Median Debt at Graduation$19,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$201

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,333
$30–48K$11,015
$48–75K$14,211
$75–110K$19,013
$110K+$20,484

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

67.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,916

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

175

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

45

Burglary

9

Aggravated Assault

6

Robbery

15

Motor Vehicle Theft

18

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

46

Drug Arrests

35

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (202)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
23,041
Gender Split
64% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
39%
Pell Grant Recipients
30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 54%
Black 3%
Hispanic 27%
Asian 4%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate56.9%
Freshman Retention72.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,308
10 Years$54,384

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#244
vs 2024
Forbes
#297
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#155
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Division

Division iCoach ofIndoor coachIndoorCross country

History & Fun Facts

  • It was one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools.
  • In 1925, the Arizona State Legislature allowed the school, which was then called the Northern Arizona State Teachers College (ASTC), to grant bachelor of education degrees.
  • In 1929, the school became Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff.
  • Also in 1929, the Great Depression struck the nation, and the ASTC found new meaning in community outreach.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

105Above Average

Estimated from AZ state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Phoenixpop. 1.6M
123 mi(213 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
359 mi(622 min)
Los Angelespop. 3.9M
383 mi(664 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

PHX Phoenix123 mi
LAS Las Vegas206 mi
ABQ Albuquerque285 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2220 mi · ~64h 8m drive
New York, NY2070 mi · ~59h 48m drive
Hartford, CT2138 mi · ~61h 46m drive
Providence, RI2203 mi · ~63h 39m drive
Albany, NY2083 mi · ~60h 11m drive
Syracuse, NY1963 mi · ~56h 43m drive
Rochester, NY1890 mi · ~54h 36m drive
Buffalo, NY1825 mi · ~52h 43m drive
Philadelphia, PA2011 mi · ~58h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1756 mi · ~50h 44m drive
Harrisburg, PA1919 mi · ~55h 26m drive
Newark, NJ2061 mi · ~59h 32m drive
Washington, DC1915 mi · ~55h 19m drive
Baltimore, MD1936 mi · ~55h 56m drive
Atlanta, GA1551 mi · ~44h 48m drive
Charlotte, NC1732 mi · ~50h 2m drive
Raleigh, NC1849 mi · ~53h 25m drive
Miami, FL1974 mi · ~57h 2m drive
Orlando, FL1827 mi · ~52h 47m drive
Tampa, FL1783 mi · ~51h 31m drive
Nashville, TN1394 mi · ~40h 16m drive
New Orleans, LA1305 mi · ~37h 42m drive
Richmond, VA1900 mi · ~54h 53m drive
Chicago, IL1373 mi · ~39h 40m drive
Detroit, MI1610 mi · ~46h 31m drive
Minneapolis, MN1180 mi · ~34h 5m drive
St. Louis, MO1206 mi · ~34h 50m drive
Kansas City, MO977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
Indianapolis, IN1428 mi · ~41h 15m drive
Columbus, OH1596 mi · ~46h 6m drive
Cleveland, OH1672 mi · ~48h 18m drive
Milwaukee, WI1378 mi · ~39h 49m drive
Dallas, TX866 mi · ~25h 1m drive
Houston, TX1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Austin, TX876 mi · ~25h 18m drive
San Antonio, TX865 mi · ~24h 59m drive
Los Angeles, CA383 mi · ~11h 4m drive
San Francisco, CA624 mi · ~18h 2m drive
San Diego, CA359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
Seattle, WA1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Portland, OR918 mi · ~26h 31m drive
Denver, CO482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Phoenix, AZ123 mi · ~3h 33m drive
Salt Lake City, UT385 mi · ~11h 7m drive
Honolulu, HI2942 mi · ~84h 59m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

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