Northern Arizona University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Flagstaff, Arizona · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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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.
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
- • Academic GPA
- • 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.
| 25th percentile | 1010 |
| 50th percentile | 1175 |
| 75th percentile | 1280 |
| % submitting SAT | 3% |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 27% |
- • 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 class | 25% |
| Top 25% of class | 55% |
| Top 50% of class | 83% |
| % submitting class rank | 9% |
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 deadline | 8/1 |
| Notification date | 7/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
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
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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 467 | $56,435 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 462 | $85,036 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 418 | $54,948 |
| Psychology, General | 387 | $49,697 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 312 | $48,706 |
| Criminology | 245 | $53,788 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 234 | $65,408 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 205 | $62,062 |
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
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.
Other colleges in Arizona parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- Pittsburg State University89% acceptance · Kansas
- Fort Hays State University90% acceptance · Kansas
- University of Portland89% acceptance · Oregon
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee91% acceptance · Wisconsin
- West Virginia University89% acceptance · West Virginia
- University of Kentucky93% acceptance · Kentucky
- University of Minnesota Duluth89% acceptance · Minnesota
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