University of Arizona vs. Northern Arizona University (NAU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to UA or NAU?“
University of Arizona
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University (NAU). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University (NAU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of Arizona | Northern Arizona University (NAU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $11,403 | $10,358 |
| Net Price | $16,099 | $14,785 |
| Average Financial Aid | $9,637 | $8,308 |
| Total Undergraduates | 32964 | 24992 |
| Average SAT Scores | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76 | 77 |
| Location | 1401 E University | 1900 S. Knoles Dr. Babbitt Administrative Center Room 200 |
| City Name | Tucson | Flagstaff |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Tucson and Flagstaff. UA is in a East South Central and NAU is in a East South Central - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of Arizona or Northern Arizona University (NAU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Arizona is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Arizona is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do UA Dorms Compare to housing Options at NAU?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. UA charges for on-campus living, while NAU charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
UA and NAU student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of Arizona , % | NAU,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 52.27 | 59.48 |
| Hispanic | 25.25 | 21.77 |
| Black | 3.8 | 3.38 |
| Foreign | 6.43 | 4.5 |
| Others | 12.3 | 10.9 |
How different is the University of Arizona campus compared to Northern Arizona University (NAU) campus?
The UA campus is located in Tucson, AZ and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more). The NAU campus is located in Flagstaff, AZ and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
UA provides $9,637 whereas NAU provides an average of $8,308.
How does UA academics compare to NAU?
When analyzing academics between University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University (NAU) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | UA | NAU |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | 131 | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 98 | 136 |
| Architecture and related services | 127 | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 64 | 8 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 329 | 266 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 232 | 61 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 502 | 330 |
| Education | 274 | 558 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | 27 | N/A |
Which is better: University of Arizona or Northern Arizona University (NAU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between UA and NAU. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does UA social life compare to NAU?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how UA social life differs from NAU.
Check here.
Check here.