Northern Arizona University is a highly ranked public university in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. It has about 20,000 undergraduate students and is a large university. Admissions are open, with the overall acceptance rate standing at around 91%. The most popular majors are Forestry, Education, Business, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is around 58%, and Northern Arizona University graduates have a median starting salary of about INR 4,80,000 (around $6,300 median income ten years after graduation).
University of Arizona is a well-known public research university located in Tucson, Arizona, USA. It is a big university with around 35,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are fairly open, with an overall acceptance rate of around 86%. Popular majors are Business, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Communications. The six-year graduation rate is around 66%, and University of Arizona graduates earn a median starting salary of around INR 5,60,000 (approximately $7,300 ten-year median income after graduation).
| Northern Arizona University | University of Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.2 Out of 10 | 5.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 834 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 1001 QS World University 2025 | # 138 Times Higher Education 2026 # 287 QS World University 2026 # 102 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 301 for Engineering by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022 # 446 for Medicine by Round University Ranking 2018 | # 69 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 59 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -33 PG Programs -24 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -201 PG Programs -81 Doctorate Programs -19 |
| Acceptance Rate | 91.0 % | 86.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-70 | IELTS-7 PTE-60 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 26642 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28240 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24948 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 37122 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 46021 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16800 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services: $50,700 Health Professions and Related Programs: $59,000 Education: $39,000 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: $45,700 Biological and Biomedical Sciences: $41,500 | Top recruiters include Raytheon Co., Raytheon Missile Systems, Honeywell Aerospace, Intel Corporation, etc. Average Salaries Are Listed Below :
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| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit personal statement Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements | Academic transcripts; Proof of English language proficiency; Resume; 2-3 LORs; Personal Statement; 2-3 Essays; Standardized test scores; Additional requirements (writing samples, portfolios, work experience, research papers, etc.) |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.9/10 Read 7 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 18 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 122 for Business by US News 2025 | # 151 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 66 for Business by US News 2025 # 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -31658 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -51724 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Feb 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | Dec 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) |
| ranking | # 174 for Computer Science by US News 2025 | # 61 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 301 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 # 401 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -30912 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -51165 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) May 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer Intake) Jun 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Northern Arizona University | University of Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1899 | 1885 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 20:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 40% Male, 60% Female | 45% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | The main campus of the university is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The university has campuses across 20 locations and also provides online education. | Located in central Tucson; one mile northeast of downtown |
| Library | The Cine library provides the students many resources like publications, databases, journals, e-books etc. | 5 libraries; 2,341,077 visits to the library; 9,040,000 Print volumes, electronic books & journals; 9,145,046 Electronic articles & ebooks accessed |
| Campus Life | NAU houses nearly 10,500 students on campus. NAU has more than 400 recognized professional, academic, service, and social organizations; an intramural sports program; The Lumberjack student newspaper; and active residence hall organizations. The John Haeger Health and Learning Center features include an indoor jogging track, a 38-foot climbing wall, a large weight room, a multipurpose gym, a cardio theatre, and 123,000 square feet of recreation opportunities. The center also includes all of the on-campus medical services and the offices for Disability Resources on campus. More than 30 competitive and recreational intramural opportunities in individual and team sports are available. Also, more than 40 sports clubs are classified as either competitive or recreational/instructional, including baseball, rugby, soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, Quidditch, disc golf, kendo, mixed martial arts, and water polo. Unions and Student Activities offers many services and events for the campus community, such as movies and the popular Friday night AfterHours program produced by Sun Entertainment. SUN also presents concerts, comedians, free movies, trivia nights, dodgeball, and many other special events each year. Student-athletes compete at the intervarsity level in football (men); volleyball, soccer, golf, and swimming and diving (women); and basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and tennis (men and women). The university participates in 15 intercollegiate sports programs. | 17 sports teams; 600 clubs; 50+ social organizations; Zonazoo (university fest); On-campus dinings; Gallagher Theater; Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium; Arizona Repertory Theatre; 9 UA museums |
| Hostel | #Off campus (with family) - $5070 #Off campus (not with family) - $9934 #On campus - $9944 | #Housing and Food - $16800 |
| Famous Alumni | Rutanya Alda – actress Robin Braun – United States Navy rear admiral | Kourtney Kardashian (American TV personality); Jerome Bruckheimer (American film producer); Gilbert Arenas (American basketball player); Francis Scobee (American astronaut); Jason Terry (American basketball player); Barry Goldwater (former American senator); Trevor Hoffman (American baseball pitcher); James Tatro (Actor) |
| City Life | Flagstaff is close to the mountains, forests, and even gets snow during the winter months. For those who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and camping, Flagstaff is an endless playground. The higher altitude and shade of the thick forests makes Flagstaff significantly cooler than many other Arizona cities. This means you can enjoy these outdoor activities for more months of the year. Being located in northern Arizona means Flagstaff is close to much of the central and western United States. Lake Powell, Sedona, and Las Vegas are all nearby, meaning no matter what kind of fun you are looking for, you can find something. Though the population of Flagstaff is on the smaller side, there are a few employment giants in the area making sure there will always be jobs for Flagstaff residents. Nestle Purina employs over 3,ooo people in the Flagstaff area. Another huge employer in Flagstaff is Northern Arizona Healthcare. | Tucson is Arizona’s second-largest city; Unique eat-outs (Hub, Café Poca Cosa, Culinary Dropout); Main Gate Square; Fourth Ave. (home to eclectic shops, coffee spots, restaurants); Top employers- UA, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Raytheon Missile Systems, Texas Instruments, IBM, Intuit Inc., etc.; Cultural Events- Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson Folk Festival, Fourth Avenue Street Fairs |
| Weather |
Northern Arizona University vs University of Arizona
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Arizona (UA) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) are both recognized public universities in Arizona, USA, with various academic strengths and international reputation. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, Arizona is placed 287th on a global level, while Northern Arizona University is placed within the 1001–1200 band. Based on the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, Arizona ranks at 136th, while Northern Arizona is ranked in the range of 500–600. In the US News Global Rankings 2026, Arizona is 115th and Northern Arizona is 244th. The University of Arizona is distinguished by its research outcomes, especially in areas such as space science, astronomy, engineering, and environmental research. Northern Arizona University is more oriented towards undergraduate education, teacher education, and applied sciences, and it has a robust regional presence.
General Information
Northern Arizona University is in Flagstaff, Arizona, and focuses on affordable education, experiential learning, and sustainability, educating approximately 30,000 students. The University of Arizona, in Tucson, Arizona, is a large research institution and member of the elite Association of American Universities (AAU), renowned for its robust research initiatives in science, engineering, medicine, and space exploration, with more than 45,000 students.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona both have fairly open admissions in relation to more selective schools, so they are both good choices for many types of students. Northern Arizona University boasts a 91% acceptance rate, mirroring its commitment to granting wide access to higher education and working with a varied student population. The University of Arizona is a bit more selective, with an 86% acceptance rate, but remains committed to access, especially for in-state students and prospective students into less competitive majors. Both institutions foremost evaluate students through high school academic achievement, personal statements, and letters of recommendation, with test scores becoming optional or de-emphasized in the recent past.
Research Impact & Facilities
The University of Arizona is a research powerhouse, with particularly strong areas in space science, optics, astronomy, and engineering, and featuring major research centers such as the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the BIO5 Institute. Northern Arizona University has a teaching-oriented mission but also involves research, especially in environmental science, forestry, and education, as supporting regional industry and sustainability initiatives. NAU provides adequate research equipment but lacks the same international research standing as UA.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University are public universities, with relatively low tuition, particularly for in-state students. Average tuition fees for international students range from $20,000 to $30,000 annually, varying by program. Both universities offer merit-based, need-based, and financial aid packages to assist students in financing their education, although UA tends to offer more competitive scholarship options because of its greater research funding and endowment.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
University of Arizona graduates enjoy robust research networks, especially in science, engineering, and medicine, with many going on to advanced research, industry, and academic careers. Northern Arizona University focuses on applied workforce preparation, with graduates thriving in teaching, healthcare, environmental science, and public service fields. Both institutions enjoy strong career assistance programs, but UA's size and reputation for research give students access to competitive research and industry opportunities worldwide.
