Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northern Arizona University at a Glance
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 …
1899
127 years old
$219M
$218.8 million (2024)
28,194
23,134 undergrad · 5,060 grad
1,115
62 acres
Identity
Is Northern Arizona University Worth It?
Northern Arizona University offers moderate value at $14,158/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,384, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Northern Arizona University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in AZ
Ranked #43 of 114 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #5 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #6 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #43 | Northern Arizona University | 57 | $14,158 | $54,384 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northern Arizona University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in AZ.
Best Programs at Northern Arizona University
The highest-earning program at Northern Arizona University is Computer Science at $70,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $17,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Northern Arizona University earns $70,600, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $17,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $24,125 in median debt vs. $30,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,158/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $70,600 | $70,600 | $24,125 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,800 | $68,800 | $26,978 |
| Construction Management | $65,100 | $65,100 | $23,750 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,500 | $61,500 | $20,812 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $59,100 | $59,100 | $19,879 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $55,500 | $55,500 | $26,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $54,300 | $54,300 | $20,456 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,000 | $54,000 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,200 | $46,200 | $22,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $21,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,400 | $42,400 | $18,671 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $40,000 | $40,000 | N/A |
| Marketing | $38,100 | $38,100 | $20,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,100 | $37,100 | $23,619 |
| Public Health | $36,800 | $36,800 | $20,903 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,054 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,000 | $36,000 | $19,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $36,000 | $36,000 | $20,833 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $35,600 | $35,600 | $20,941 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,500 | $35,500 | $15,505 |
| Chemistry | $35,100 | $35,100 | $26,899 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $34,700 | $34,700 | $18,113 |
| Forestry | $34,600 | $34,600 | $18,131 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $32,500 | $32,500 | $23,250 |
| Social Work | $32,500 | $32,500 | $20,500 |
| Mathematics | $32,400 | $32,400 | $17,074 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,100 | $32,100 | $24,025 |
| Criminology | $31,900 | $31,900 | $21,500 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $31,800 | $31,800 | $20,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $31,700 | $31,700 | $22,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,900 | $30,900 | $22,628 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $30,100 | $30,100 | $18,777 |
| Journalism | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $19,000 |
| Sociology | $29,100 | $29,100 | $21,899 |
| Biology, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $21,250 |
| Psychology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $21,500 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $23,898 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,000 | $26,000 | $23,927 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $25,900 | $25,900 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $25,700 | $25,700 | $19,475 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25,500 | $25,500 | $20,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,700 | $24,700 | $21,375 |
| Anthropology | $24,000 | $24,000 | $21,500 |
| History | $23,700 | $23,700 | $17,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,700 | $21,700 | $20,358 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,300 | $17,300 | $26,734 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,200 | $17,200 | $30,000 |
Similar Colleges in AZ
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Student Body
- 22,903 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,158
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,384
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000