About

About Northern Arizona University

high altitude mountain campusaccessible admissionshealth sciences focusdoctoral research universityeducation and nursing strength

Northern Arizona University is a public research university in Flagstaff, AZ, known for its high altitude mountain campus, accessible admissions, and health sciences focus. With an acceptance rate of 80%, NAU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 5,575 students each year. NAU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1010–1280, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. NAU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $13,115 per year; the sticker price of $34,719 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Northern Arizona University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

80%
Overall Accept Rate
1145
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1010 – 1280 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Northern Arizona University

Application Strategy
Apply to the Honors College when you submit your NAU application since it uses the same application and there is no separate fee. Honors students at NAU get priority registration, dedicated advising, and access to smaller seminar courses in Flagstaff.
Essay Strategy
NAU treats essays as a low priority factor, so focus most of your energy on clearly naming the specific program or college you are applying to, like the School of Forestry or the W.A. Franke College of Business, and explain why Flagstaff and that program fit your goals. Admissions readers respond well to applicants who show they have done research beyond the general university.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Northern Arizona University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Northern Arizona University has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $65,000, the average net annual cost is $0. Northern Arizona University's sticker price of ~$35k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$35k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$35k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75k~$35k/yr$13.3k
75k-110k~$35k/yr$18.1k
110k+~$35k/yr$20.7k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

57%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$47k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
22:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
21,303
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

52%White
27%Hispanic
6%Two or More Races
4%Asian
4%American Indian / AK Native
3%Black / African American
2%International
1%Unknown / Unreported
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Gender37% Men · 63% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status98% Citizens and Immigrants · 2% International
NAU, Flagstaff Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch