Northern Arizona University (NAU) appears in major global and national rankings, with its position changing over the year. In 2025, it ranks between #1001-1200 in QS and THE world rankings, while Shanghai places it higher at #501-600. Domestically, US News ranks NAU at #244 among national universities.

When looking at specific subjects, NAU has strong showings in areas like Linguistics (#89 in QS) and Ecology (#41 in Shanghai). Other programs, such as Nursing (#218 in US News) and Atmospheric Science (#101-150 in Shanghai), also hold competitive positions.

Also Check: Northern Arizona University Admissions


NAU World University Ranking

Tabulated below is a table highlighting world University Rankings of Northern Arizona University:

Ranking Bodies Ranking 2025
QS World University Ranking #1001-1200
US News National University Ranking #244
THE World University Ranking #1001-1200
Shanghai Rankings #501-600

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has consistently placed within the global rankings, with its position varying across different ranking bodies. The QS World University Ranking and THE World University Ranking both place NAU in the range of #1001-1200 for 2025. In contrast, NAU holds a more notable position in the Shanghai Rankings, landing between #501-600. Additionally, NAU is ranked #244 in the US News National University Ranking, reflecting its standing within the national context.


NAU QS Subject Ranking

Listed below are the World Ranking trends of Northern Arizona University by QS ranking from 2023 to 2025:

Subject 2025 2024 2023
Linguistic #89 #73 #82
Agriculture and Forestry #201-250 #151-200 -
English Language and Literature #301-350 #301-330 #201-250
Education and Training #351-400 #351-400 -
Environmental Science #401-450 #451-500 #351-400

NAU US News Subject Ranking

Below are a few subject-wise rankings of Northern Arizona University by the US News & World Report for the year 2024-25:

Subject Rankings 2024-25
Economics #277
Nursing #218
UG Engineering Program #168

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has shown steady performance in the QS Subject Rankings from 2023 to 2025. The Linguistics program, while fluctuating, remains within the top 100, ranking #89 in 2025. Agriculture and Forestry has experienced a decline, moving from #151-200 in 2024 to #201-250 in 2025. English Language and Literature has held steady within the #301-350 range, while Education and Training has consistently ranked #351-400. Environmental Science has also seen slight shifts, improving in 2023 but moving to #401-450 in 2025.


NAU Shanghai Subject Ranking

Below are a few subject-wise rankings of Northern Arizona University by the Shanghai Ranking body for the year 2024-25:

Subject Rankings
Ecology #41
Atmospheric Science #101-150
Earth Sciences #151-200
Geography #201-300
Agricultural Sciences #201-300
Environmental Science & Engineering #301-400
Education #301-400

According to the Shanghai Ranking, some of the highly ranked subjects are Ecology, Atmospheric Science, Earth Sciences and Geography. The university's Ecology program stands out, ranked at #41, while Atmospheric Science, Earth Sciences, and Geography also perform solidly within the top #150-300 range. Agricultural Sciences and Environmental Science & Engineering hold their own in the #201-300 range. Education is similarly ranked between #301-400, showing a broad strength across various fields.