Northern Arizona University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Flagstaff, Arizona · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
90%
39,685 applicants
Median SAT
1175
Mid 50: 1010–1280
In-state tuition
$13,009
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$14,158
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Northern Arizona University is a public university in Flagstaff, Arizona that admits about 90% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $14,158 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 59% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 7.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. For the most recent reporting cycle, Northern Arizona University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 90%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1175. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,158 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Northern Arizona University?

51% of enrolled students at Northern Arizona University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
32.0%
3.75–3.99
19.0%
3.50–3.74
15.0%
3.25–3.49
12.0%
3.00–3.24
10.0%
2.50–2.99
10.0%
Below 2.50
2.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Northern Arizona University.

What does Northern Arizona University weight in admissions?

Northern Arizona University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important1 factor
  • Academic GPA
Important1 factor
  • Rigor of secondary school record

SAT and ACT scores Northern Arizona University typically admits

Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1010
50th percentile1175
75th percentile1280
% submitting SAT3%
ACT Composite
25th percentile19
50th percentile23
75th percentile26
% submitting ACT27%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class25%
Top 25% of class55%
Top 50% of class83%
% submitting class rank9%

How much does Northern Arizona University actually cost?

Published tuition is $13,009 for in-state students and $29,881 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,432 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,158 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 31% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$12,000
Out-of-state tuition$30,000
Room and board$15,805
Average net price (after aid)$14,158
Application fee$40 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Northern Arizona University

Regular admission
Regular deadline8/1
Notification date7/1
Reply deadline5/1
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from Northern Arizona University?

These predict outcomes at Northern Arizona University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
76.9%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
59%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Northern Arizona University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Northern Arizona University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Across all programs, Northern Arizona University confers roughly 2,730 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $56,435 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Biology, General467$56,435
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing462$85,036
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities418$54,948
Psychology, General387$49,697
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods312$48,706
Criminology245$53,788
Business Administration, Management and Operations234$65,408
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness205$62,062
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Northern Arizona University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Northern Arizona University disclosed 169 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 7.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 16 violent offenses and 36 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
169
7.4 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
16
0.70 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
36
1.57 per 1,000
Burglary
27
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 22,903 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Northern Arizona University?

About 43% of undergraduates at Northern Arizona University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 7% of men join a fraternity and 7% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
43%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
7%
of men
In sororities
7%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Northern Arizona University.

Other colleges in Arizona parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Northern Arizona University

Common questions parents ask about Northern Arizona University

What GPA do I need for Northern Arizona University?

51% of enrolled students at Northern Arizona University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Northern Arizona University typically admit?

Northern Arizona University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.

How much does Northern Arizona University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Northern Arizona University after grants and scholarships is $14,158 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,009 and $29,881 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is Northern Arizona University realistic for my child?

Northern Arizona University admits 90% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $14,158 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Northern Arizona University?

Northern Arizona University accepts about 90% of applicants out of roughly 39,685 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Northern Arizona University test-optional?

Yes. Northern Arizona University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Northern Arizona University?

About 59% of students at Northern Arizona University graduate within six years. 77% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Northern Arizona University look for in applicants?

Northern Arizona University rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Northern Arizona University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona.

What are the most popular majors at Northern Arizona University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Northern Arizona University by annual graduates are Biology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The school awards about 2,730 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Northern Arizona University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Northern Arizona University reported 169 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 7.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Northern Arizona University?

At Northern Arizona University, 43% of undergraduates live on campus, 7% of men are in fraternities, 7% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Northern Arizona University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers