M.S Biology at Northern Arizona University [NAU FLAGSTAFF], Flagstaff Fees, Entry Requirement & Application Deadline

Master of Science [M.S] [Biology] From Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, ArizonaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1899established year
31051enrollment
Public
Partner [2 Courses]
7.9/10

Master of Science [M.S] (Biology)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study

Ranked #301 out of 500 by ARWU Global Ranking 2022

$32,190 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 26, 2026

Northern Arizona University Master of Science in Biology is a full-time, in-person graduate programme in Flagstaff, planned across two academic years and 32 to 35 units. Fall 2027 applicants need a biology degree and 3.0 on 4.0, approximately 70% to 75% or 7.0 to 7.5 on 10 for Indian applicants. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition was US$35,425 (INR 33.92 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.

The course trains students to design experiments, analyse biological data and communicate findings across scales from molecules to ecosystems. Biology Coursework and Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology options let a faculty mentor shape the programme through thesis or non-thesis research. It suits applicants with biological-science preparation and a defined research interest, but funding and completion timing depend on mentor support and project scope.

  • The target catalog recommends a revised general graduate admissions test without publishing a target score.
  • Students can choose a coursework emphasis or an Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology emphasis.
  • Career directions listed by NAU include research assistance, wildlife biology technology, native fish work and community college instruction.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. International student deadline: Expected 2 December 2026; portal time and timezone are not published.

The target-year deadline row is not yet published, so the displayed date follows the current Biology Fall pattern. Indian applicants should contact a potential mentor and verify the final portal cutoff before submitting.

Northern Arizona Biology Fees and Living Costs 2027

Fall 2027 Biology tuition remains unpublished after checks of NAU’s current catalog, international fee page and graduate program-fee page. The table therefore presents 2026-27 Flagstaff graduate amounts as prior-cycle planning references, while the general programme-fee allowance is not Biology-specific.

Fee componentAmount (USD)Amount (INR)
Graduate nonresident tuitionUS$33,800INR 32.37 Lakhs
Mandatory student feesUS$1,625INR 1.56 Lakhs
Calculated tuition and mandatory-fee subtotalUS$35,425INR 33.92 Lakhs
General graduate degree programme-fee allowance, not Biology-specificUS$1,165INR 1.12 Lakhs

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.763 as of 25 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Source: NAU 2026-27 graduate fee and international cost pages.

NAU lists nonresident tuition and mandatory student fees separately, so the prior-cycle subtotal is US$35,425 (INR 33.92 Lakhs), not a confirmed Fall 2027 invoice. The international cost page also includes a general graduate degree programme-fee allowance of US$1,165 (INR 1.12 Lakhs), but it states that programme fees vary by degree.

  • Treat the prior-cycle subtotal as a planning anchor only because the target Biology tuition and programme-fee classification are unpublished.
  • Ask a prospective mentor whether assistantship funding covers tuition, university fees, programme fees and health insurance separately.
  • Keep a separate reserve for transportation, personal expenses and summer costs because NAU excludes them from the listed estimate.

For a prior-cycle planning illustration, NAU’s general Flagstaff graduate I-20 estimate is US$55,773 (INR 53.41 Lakhs) per year. Using that figure, US$55,773 × 2 = US$111,546 (INR 1.07 Crore) across two years before excluded personal, transportation and summer costs.

Verify the target fee on the official NAU cost-of-attendance page before converting a prior-cycle plan into a loan amount.

Read More: Northern Arizona University courses and fees

Cost of Living in Flagstaff for Biology Students

NAU’s 2026-27 international estimate uses shared on-campus housing and a meal plan, so it is a university planning estimate rather than a guaranteed personal budget. The monthly figures divide annual components by 12, while residence prices and visa financial requirements remain separate measures.

ExpenseMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)Annual (USD)Annual (INR)
On-campus shared housingUS$708.25INR 67,824US$8,499INR 8.14 Lakhs
MealsUS$575.67INR 55,128US$6,908INR 6.62 Lakhs
Books and suppliesUS$75INR 7,182US$900INR 86,187
Student health insuranceUS$239.67INR 22,951US$2,876INR 2.75 Lakhs
Listed living and health costs totalUS$1,598.58INR 1.53 LakhsUS$19,183INR 18.37 Lakhs

The listed annual living and health components total US$19,183 (INR 18.37 Lakhs), while NAU separately excludes personal expenses, transportation and summer costs. This estimate is useful for a visa and funding plan, but an Indian student choosing private housing should replace the housing line with a verified lease quote.

Fall 2027 fee action

Use the prior-cycle figures only to set a funding range, then request the Biology-specific 2027-28 tuition and programme-fee treatment from NAU before accepting an offer.

ROI reality: The two-year planning illustration reaches INR 1.07 Crore before personal and transportation costs. Indian applicants should secure funding or assistantship information before using the prior-cycle estimate in a loan plan.

Northern Arizona Biology Admission 2027

Admission depends on relevant bachelor’s preparation, a 3.0 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale and faculty mentor support. The current Fall 2027 catalog recommends the revised Graduate Record Examinations General Test, but it does not publish a score target.

Intakes for Northern Arizona Biology

Northern Arizona Biology offers Fall admission only in the checked deadline table, while Spring and Summer are marked unavailable. Because the target-year row is absent, Fall 2027 dates below are expected from the current Biology pattern.

IntakeStatusInternational deadline patternTime note
Fall 2027Announced, not yet openExpected 2 December 2026 priority 1; Expected 15 January 2027 priority 2; Expected 15 February 2027 finalPortal time and timezone are not published
Spring 2027Admission not availableNo Spring intake publishedNot applicable
Summer 2027Admission not availableNo Summer intake publishedNot applicable

Use the Fall priority dates as planning markers rather than confirmed deadlines, because NAU has not posted a 2027 Biology row. The university’s portal cutoff will control submission when the target-year table appears.

Academic Eligibility for Northern Arizona Biology

The academic threshold is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Indian applicants should map that threshold to approximately 70% to 75%, or 7.0 to 7.5 on a 10-point cumulative grade scale.

RequirementNAU positionIndian applicant action
DegreeBachelor’s degree in biological science or a closely related fieldShow relevant coursework and explain any field change
Academic record3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalentUse approximately 70% to 75%, or 7.0 to 7.5 on 10, as a planning comparison
Biology preparationKnowledge of biology at the baccalaureate levelHighlight laboratory, quantitative and research preparation
Faculty supportApplicants should contact potential faculty and apply after a mentor agrees to support themMatch a research statement to a named faculty area before submission
Application evidenceTranscripts, essay or statement of intent, personal statement and recommendationsUse each document to connect preparation with the intended research direction
Fall 2027 test policyRevised general graduate admissions test recommended; no target score publishedSubmit a score only if it strengthens the file, then verify the current policy

The 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects profile lists NAU in Ecology and related subjects, not Biological Sciences, so this article uses no programme-specific ranking.

English Language Requirements for Northern Arizona Biology

NAU’s international graduate page lists the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) and Duolingo English Test minimums. These tests measure English proficiency, while the target page also lists limited waiver routes.

Test or routePublished minimum or policyIndian applicant action
IELTS Academic6.5Send the official score through the accepted reporting route
TOEFL iBT80 on the 0 to 120 scaleUse the published scale and NAU institution code 4006
TOEFL iBT, test taken after 01/21/20264, exact displayed policyDo not convert this value and confirm score details with NAU
Duolingo English Test105Check score validity and send the official result
Waiver routeNative speaker from an English-speaking country or bachelor’s degree from a US institutionAsk NAU whether your documented background meets the published route
  • Book an accepted test early enough to send an official score with the graduate application, because the target-year portal cutoff remains unpublished.
  • Use the 0 to 120 TOEFL iBT line or the exact revised value 4 only as NAU displays it, never as a self-converted equivalent.
  • Ask NAU whether a bachelor’s degree completed in India qualifies for a waiver, because the published waiver language refers to specific countries or US study.

Selection evidence note

The Biology FAQ reports 75 to 100 applicants and 15 to 20 admissions, varying with the applicant pool and grant funding. It also describes no lab rotations and mentor assignment before admission, so applicants should treat the figures as programme context rather than fixed odds.

Honest take: The 3.0 academic threshold is only the starting screen, because mentor sponsorship and research fit shape this Biology application; contact faculty before finalising the Fall 2027 file.

Northern Arizona Biology Application 2027

The Fall 2027 application is announced but not yet open, and the target-year deadline row has not been published. The current Biology pattern has Priority 1 on 2 December, Priority 2 on 15 January and Final on 15 February.

Fall 2027 Application Stages

These dates are expected rather than confirmed because NAU’s live graduate deadline page currently identifies the Biology pattern without naming Fall 2027. Decision dates and portal times are not published, so the university’s portal timestamp will control each submission.

StageExpected international deadlineDecision and submission note
Priority 1Expected 2 December 2026Decision date and portal time not published
Priority 2Expected 15 January 2027Decision date and portal time not published
FinalExpected 15 February 2027Decision date and portal time not published

The graduate application fee is US$75 (INR 7,182) for international graduate applicants, and the online application requires transcripts, statements, recommendations and supporting documents. Because the Biology programme asks applicants to contact a potential mentor, Priority 1 is the practical planning target for faculty discussion, English testing and funding requests.

  • Email prospective Biology faculty with a focused research question and preparation summary before submitting the application.
  • Prepare transcripts, statement of intent, personal statement and recommendations so each document supports the same research direction.
  • Treat the recommended revised graduate admissions test as optional evidence rather than a minimum, because NAU publishes no target score.
  • Submit the US$75 (INR 7,182) fee only after checking the final Fall 2027 international deadline and document list.

Because the target-year row is absent, recheck the NAU graduate deadline page when it adds the Biology dates.

Application timing note

NAU lists no Biology Spring or Summer intake, so a missed Fall 2027 cycle cannot shift to another listed entry term. Confirm the next published cycle rather than relying on old dates.

Application tip: Aim for the expected Priority 1 date only after a faculty mentor responds, because the programme’s research model makes supervisor alignment a prerequisite for a credible application.

Northern Arizona Biology Scholarships 2027

Funding is available through a current published International Excellence Award and department-based assistantships, while Biology-specific scholarship deadlines for Fall 2027 are unpublished. The awards below keep their published scope and cycle, so none should be treated as a guaranteed reduction of Fall 2027 tuition.

Named Funding Options for Biology Students

The International Excellence Award is relevant to first-time full-time international master’s students at Flagstaff, while graduate assistantships depend on department or grant support. Biology-specific and graduate-school awards below have prior-cycle dates where current 2027 deadlines are absent.

Award or funding routeValue (USD)Value (INR)Eligibility and route
International Excellence Award, current publishedUp to US$11,000 per yearUp to INR 10.53 Lakhs per yearFirst-time full-time international master’s students at Flagstaff, Grade Point Average 3.0, automatic consideration and first-come allocation
20-hour Graduate Assistantship, current published termsMinimum US$15,000 master’s stipend; 100% tuition remissionMinimum INR 14.36 Lakhs master’s stipend; 100% tuition remissionDepartment or grant appointment; university and programme fees excluded from remission, with a health insurance premium waiver listed
Watwood Scholarship, 2026-27 prior-cycle referenceUp to US$3,000Up to INR 2.87 LakhsBiology, chemistry or forestry graduate study, Grade Point Average 3.5 or higher, satisfactory progress and 23 February 2026 prior-cycle deadline
OGPS Scholarship, 2026-27 prior-cycle referenceUp to US$1,000Up to INR 95,763Graduate applicants with Grade Point Average 3.75 or higher and 23 February 2026 prior-cycle deadline

Source: NAU International Student and Graduate Studies funding pages.

The International Excellence Award has the clearest route for an eligible Indian applicant because it is automatic. It applies to tuition and fees only, not housing, meals or other costs. A 20-hour assistantship offers a larger stated master’s stipend and tuition remission. The Biology department must confirm an opening, appointment terms and whether the offer covers the programme-specific fee.

  • Check whether an assistantship offer is a teaching or research appointment, because stipend and remission are tied to the appointment terms.
  • Do not subtract the International Excellence Award or assistantship value from unpublished 2027 tuition until NAU confirms the award in writing.
  • Treat the Watwood and OGPS deadlines as prior-cycle references and request the next cycle’s application instructions.

Funding Strategy for Indian Applicants

The Biology FAQ says admitted students typically receive some assistantship support and that the department ordinarily does not admit without support unless students are self-supporting. That statement is programme context, not a Fall 2027 funding guarantee.

Ask the prospective mentor about grant support, teaching duties, stipend payment timing and whether health insurance is covered before accepting an offer.

Check Out: USA scholarships for international students

Funding reality

Current award pages do not publish Biology-specific Fall 2027 quantities or deadlines for every award. Retain a full-fee backup until the mentor and department confirm funding in writing.

Scholarship reality: The automatic award can reduce tuition-related costs, but assistantship and award exclusions leave living costs and programme-specific charges unresolved; request the written funding package before committing.

Northern Arizona Biology Salary 2027

No Biology cohort report publishes a median salary, offer rate or placement rate for this master’s programme. NAU instead lists career directions, while the wage figures below are external United States occupational benchmarks rather than graduate outcomes.

Biology Career Evidence

The official catalog names research assistant, wildlife biology technician, native fish specialist and community college instructor as possible directions. It does not identify a graduating cohort, salary measure, geography or offer rate for those roles.

Evidence scopeMeasureAmount (USD)Amount (INR)Applicant meaning
Course cohort outcomeSalary, offer rate and employment reportNot publishedNot publishedRequest Biology-specific outcomes from the department
University career statementResearch assistant, wildlife biology technician, native fish specialist and community college instructorNot a salary measureNot a salary measureUse a mentor conversation to test role fit
External market benchmarkZoologists and wildlife biologists, May 2024 median annual wageUS$72,860INR 69.77 LakhsMarket context only, not an NAU outcome
External market benchmarkMicrobiologists, May 2024 median annual wageUS$87,330INR 83.63 LakhsMarket context only, not an NAU outcome

Source: May 2024 occupational wage data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The benchmarks help frame possible occupations but cannot be used as a Biology placement forecast or loan-repayment proof. Gross pay does not equal take-home pay because taxes, benefits and location change the result; use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator for a personal estimate.

Research and Return Decision

This academic-research course is most financially useful when the mentor, thesis or non-thesis route and research facilities serve a defined objective. That objective may involve a PhD, conservation or laboratory work. Indian applicants returning home should compare the research credential and project access with opportunities in the same field. The official record does not provide a course-specific US salary outcome.

  • Use the 32 to 35-unit structure and faculty research match to evaluate doctoral preparation, rather than treating an occupational median as expected pay.
  • Ask for recent graduate destinations and funding continuation before valuing the degree against the prior-cycle INR 1.07 Crore two-year planning illustration.
  • Separate a US work plan from an India-return plan because the visa section provides a conditional work window, not a placement promise.

Outcome scope

The catalog’s career list demonstrates possible directions, while no course cohort outcome report was found; ask the department for current employment or doctoral progression evidence.

Honest take: The degree’s defensible value is research access and mentor fit, not a published salary outcome. Indian applicants should request destination evidence before treating the prior-cycle cost as financially justified.

United States Visa for Northern Arizona Biology Students 2027

Northern Arizona University’s residential Flagstaff Biology master’s uses the F-1 academic student visa route. NAU issues an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) after the student documents funding. Eligible graduates may use Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to 12 months in degree-related work. A further STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) extension is conditional on the exact degree classification, employer and federal rules.

  • The US$185 student visa application fee (INR 17,716) and US$350 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee (INR 33,517) are separate charges from tuition and living costs.
  • The standard OPT period is up to 12 months, while a 24-month STEM extension requires an eligible degree classification, employer and federal compliance.
  • H-1B specialty-occupation employer sponsorship requires the employer to meet the required actual or prevailing wage, and there is no Biology-linked salary threshold.
  • F-2 spouse and children may accompany the student with financial evidence, but an F-2 spouse cannot work and no fixed Biology-linked permanent-residence timeline exists.

Check Out: US F-1 student visa requirements

Visa reality: The standard work window is conditional, and the exact STEM extension requires separate verification. Indian applicants should fund the degree without assuming a post-study job or settlement outcome.

Northern Arizona University’s Biology master’s fits an Indian applicant with biological-science preparation who can secure faculty mentor support for a defined research direction. Its 32 to 35-unit structure, ecology option and thesis or non-thesis route support research, conservation or a future PhD. The material tradeoffs are unpublished Fall 2027 tuition, funding that depends on mentor or award scope and a conditional US work window. Contact prospective faculty, prepare the required English evidence and verify the target-year deadline and fee before submitting the US$75 (INR 7,182) application.

Northern Arizona University Master of Science in Biology FAQs

Ques. Is Northern Arizona University’s Biology master’s suitable for an Indian applicant?

Ans. It suits applicants with a relevant biology or related science degree, a 3.0 Grade Point Average on 4.0 and a faculty mentor willing to support the research plan. The programme is a weaker fit when you need a fully coursework-only route without supervisor alignment.

Ques. What academic, English and graduate test evidence does Fall 2027 require?

Ans. The academic floor is 3.0 on 4.0, approximately 70% to 75%, or 7.0 to 7.5 on 10 for Indian applicants. NAU lists IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80 on the 0 to 120 scale, a revised TOEFL value of 4 after 21 January 2026 and Duolingo 105. The current catalog recommends the revised Graduate Record Examinations General Test without publishing a target score.

Ques. What should an Indian applicant budget for Fall 2027?

Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished. The 2026-27 tuition and mandatory-fee reference was US$35,425 (INR 33.92 Lakhs), while the general annual I-20 estimate was US$55,773 (INR 53.41 Lakhs). A two-year planning illustration is US$111,546 (INR 1.07 Crore), before excluded costs and target-cycle confirmation.

Ques. Which funding route should Biology applicants pursue first?

Ans. Ask a potential mentor about a 20-hour assistantship because its published master’s stipend starts at US$15,000 (INR 14.36 Lakhs) and includes tuition remission terms. The automatic International Excellence Award can provide up to US$11,000 (INR 10.53 Lakhs) per year, but award and fee exclusions remain.

Ques. Can graduates work in the United States after the Biology master’s?

Ans. Eligible F-1 graduates may use up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training in related work. A further 24-month STEM extension is conditional on degree classification and employer requirements, while H-1B sponsorship has no fixed Biology-linked salary threshold. No automatic employment or settlement path follows.

Also Check: Northern Arizona University graduate admission


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$32190

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Housing$7314
Meals$3600

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

80 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

105 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

3 / 4

Minimum gpa

GPA

32

ECTS Credits


Ranking

202220212020

Academy Ranking of World Universities logo
Biology 301 out of 500 in Global Ranking
( #28 out of 141 in USA 2022)

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Career and Placement after Course

Possible career opportunities area as follows:

  • Research assistant
  • Wildlife biology technician
  • Native fish specialist
  • Community college instructor


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