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Flagstaff , AZ
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a public research university located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Founded in 1899, it has since emerged as one of the leading institutions in the state. NAU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study, including arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, health and human services, and more. The university is dedicated to providing a high-quality education through its innovative and interdisciplinary approach, preparing students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.
NAU boasts a diverse and vibrant campus community, attracting students from all 50 states and over 70 countries. With a student population of approximately 31,000, it offers a dynamic learning environment where students can engage in numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations. The university strongly values student success, providing resources such as tutoring, career services, and counseling to support students throughout their academic journey.
Flagstaff, known for its stunning natural beauty, serves as an ideal backdrop for NAU. Surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, the city offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and camping. Additionally, Flagstaff's vibrant downtown area provides students with a lively social scene, including art galleries, music festivals, and diverse dining options. With its commitment to academic excellence and the unique experiences it offers, Northern Arizona University provides students with a well-rounded education and an extraordinary college experience.
Located in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 89%. The freshman retention rate at Northern Arizona University is 75% and the six-year graduation rate is 61%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. Here are some vital information on important things to consider about Northern Arizona University.
Quick Facts
22,991
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
61%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Read on to find out some relevant data about admission policy and requirements at Northern Arizona University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 31,453 in 2025. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 4% and ACT scores 28%. 6% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 38% between 1,200 and 1,399, 34% between 1,000 and 1,199, 19% between 800 and 999, and 3% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 9, 34 between 24-29, 44 in the range between 18-23, and 13 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 23 while the average GPA was 3.7. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 583 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 558.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is August 1.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Northern Arizona University was 75%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 61%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 28,468 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 28% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 22,991, 486 of which were international students. 1,487 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 8,967 male and 14,378 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 1,019, and the number of Afro-American students was 693. 6,208 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,297 as multirace. The school also had 46 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 898 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 266 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Northern Arizona University estimated tuition costs.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $12,096. Tuition fees were $29,568 for students coming from out of state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $29,560. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,344.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $29,568 | $1,344 | $30,912 |
| In-State | $12,096 | $1,344 | $13,440 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $900 for books and supplies during their time at Northern Arizona University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Northern Arizona University was $14,432 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $7,790 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $11,700.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 12,096 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,432 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 900 |
| Total Expense | $ 27,428 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be very important for completing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Northern Arizona University.
According to the most recent data, 3,471 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,800.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 7,748 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 11,707. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $45,689,338, and state $14,473,320. The students of Northern Arizona University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $100,642,343, and external in the amount of $5,330,906.
$8,197
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
10,145 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 3,410 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $45,689,338 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $600,770. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $56,172,014. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,627,883 USD.
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Northern Arizona University was 19:1. That means that there were 19 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,607 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 689 men and 918 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Northern Arizona University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Northern Arizona University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Northern Arizona University.
It has a campus size of 883 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 343 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 7% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 7 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, followed by American Medical Student Association of NAU and Pickleball Club at NAU. Other popular student organizations at this school are Louie's Cupboard and Esports.
Those who have a talent for music can join the Northern Arizona University band or chorus. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join. For students looking to explore media and communication, Northern Arizona University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Northern Arizona University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Northern Arizona University.
All in all, campus life at Northern Arizona University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Northern Arizona University.
Career Counselling
At Northern Arizona University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 55,050 USD.
$55,050
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Northern Arizona University is 89%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Northern Arizona University is 75%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
