Students at Northern Arizona University achieve significantly higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings advantages among public universities.
The university excels at converting educational access into meaningful economic mobility, ranking in the top tier nationally for helping students achieve financial success.
Azimuth ranks Northern Arizona University among the top performers nationally for overall value, placing it well above average for return on investment among public four-year institutions. What distinguishes NAU is its ability to deliver strong long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining reasonable costs for families across income levels. The university combines the comprehensive resources of a large public research institution with financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations.
NAU graduates earn a median of $54,384 ten years after enrollment, with the university showing particularly strong performance in earnings beyond expectations compared with similar institutions. This reflects both the quality of NAU's academic programs and its strategic focus on career-oriented fields like nursing, computer science, and business that translate directly into solid employment prospects.
As a large public university in Flagstaff, NAU offers students the full university experience with strong academic breadth, research opportunities, and campus life, while delivering financial outcomes that rank in the top tier nationally. The combination of comprehensive programming, reasonable costs, and above-average earnings makes NAU a compelling choice for students seeking both educational quality and long-term financial security.
Northern Arizona University's program portfolio balances breadth with strategic focus on career-oriented fields that deliver strong financial outcomes. Adult Health Nursing leads in aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment of 526 graduates with solid median earnings of $63,364, making it a cornerstone program for the university's overall success. General Studies, with 546 graduates, represents NAU's largest program and provides flexible pathways for students seeking broad-based education.
The university's highest-earning programs cluster in technical and health fields. Computer Science graduates earn $76,117 early in their careers from a focused cohort of 65 students, while nursing programs consistently deliver above-average earnings with strong job market demand. These programs benefit from NAU's comprehensive resources and industry connections, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
NAU's program mix reflects its mission as a comprehensive public university that serves diverse student interests while maintaining focus on employability. The range from high-earning technical fields to broader liberal arts programs allows students to pursue their interests while still achieving solid financial outcomes. Even programs like English Language and Literature, while showing more modest early earnings, contribute to the university's overall educational mission and provide pathways to various career opportunities.
Northern Arizona University delivers strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates. Ten years after enrollment, NAU graduates earn a median of $54,384, placing the university well above average nationally for earnings performance. The university shows particularly impressive earnings beyond expectations, with graduates earning approximately $6,590 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating NAU's ability to add meaningful value to student outcomes.
The university's program mix drives much of this strong performance. Adult Health Nursing stands out as NAU's highest aggregate return program, combining substantial enrollment of 526 graduates with strong median earnings of $63,364. Computer Science delivers the highest individual earnings at $76,117 for its 65 graduates, while General Studies, the largest program with 546 graduates, provides solid middle-income outcomes at $36,772. This range reflects NAU's comprehensive academic portfolio, from high-earning technical and health fields to broader liberal arts programs.
NAU's strength lies in its ability to consistently deliver above-average earnings across diverse academic programs. The university's focus on practical, career-oriented education in fields like nursing, computer science, and business helps explain why graduates outperform earnings expectations by such a significant margin. With over 5,000 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, NAU demonstrates its capacity to prepare students for well-paying careers across multiple industries.
Northern Arizona University offers strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families with varying financial circumstances. Low-income students pay approximately $10,333 annually in net price, which represents excellent value for a comprehensive public research university. Middle-income families face net costs around $14,211 per year, while higher-income families pay about $20,484 annually, all of which are reasonable compared to similar institutions nationwide.
The university's debt structure supports long-term financial sustainability for graduates. Typical federal student loan debt of $19,000 is manageable given NAU's strong earnings outcomes, with most graduates able to handle standard repayment comfortably. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $20,500, a moderate level that reflects families' strategic use of additional financing options. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
What makes NAU particularly attractive from an affordability standpoint is how well the costs align with outcomes. With graduates earning a median of $54,384 ten years out and showing strong earnings beyond expectations, the investment in an NAU education pays dividends that justify the upfront costs. The combination of reasonable net prices, manageable debt levels, and strong earning potential creates a sustainable financial model for most families.
Northern Arizona University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
